India on Friday test-fired a nuclear-capable cruise missile from Balasore in Odisha state, the Times of India (ToI) reported.

The missile, with the name of Nirbhay, has a range of over 700 kilometres, the ToI said, adding that today's test-fire was the second developmental trial of the missile.

The missile's first test was carried out on March 12 last year from the same base but "the flight had to be terminated mid-way, as deviations were observed from its intended course," the ToI quoted an official as saying.

The official added that Nirbhay has good loitering capability, effective control and guidance, high degree of accuracy as well as effective stealth features.

Also read: No one can warn India, China told

The long range capability Nirbhay is being developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The test comes as India and Pakistan are engaged in skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary and also as India has conveyed to China that it could no longer be issued warnings by anyone saying the South Asian nation was now immensely powerful and held a prominent position on the international stage.

Explore: Heavy military spending hurting India, Pakistan: US report

Opinion

Editorial

Judicial disputes
Updated 23 Mar, 2025

Judicial disputes

Public perceptions of the institution’s independence and neutrality have taken a hit due to bitter, public spats between senior judges.
Biased proposal
23 Mar, 2025

Biased proposal

PAKISTAN’S tax system is extortionist, unpredictable and unsupportive of investment and economic growth. It...
JFK files
23 Mar, 2025

JFK files

THE latest cache of declassified documents from what are known as the ‘Kennedy files’ have not really impressed...
Running on empty
Updated 22 Mar, 2025

Running on empty

World Water Day should remind country’s rulers that water crisis threatens the very survival of our future generations.
Another ultimatum
22 Mar, 2025

Another ultimatum

THESE are fraught times, but the government must still find it in its heart to be a little more accommodating....
Muzzled voices
22 Mar, 2025

Muzzled voices

A NEW era of censorship is upon us. The FIA’s arrest of journalist and founder of media agency Raftar, Farhan...