ISLAMABAD: The Army Strategic Forces Command (ASFC) on Monday conducted the training launch of nuclear-capable Ghauri missile, the only liquid fuel ballistic missile in the country’s arsenal.

“Pakistan today successfully conducted Training Launch of Ghauri Missile System. The launch was conducted by the Army Strategic Forces Command and it was aimed at testing the operational and technical readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command,” said military’s Inter Services Public Relations in a statement.

The missile that can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads over a distance of 1300 kilometres is a road-mobile weapon system that was introduced in 1998. It has since then undergone significant technical improvements. The missile is known for its high accuracy.

By conducting the training launch, analysts believe Pakistan’s strategic forces underscored that its 20-year-old liquid fuel missile was still operational although it looks that the focus of the missile development had shifted to solid fuelled systems because of operational advantages.

“The launch consolidates Pakistan’s nuclear capability which is aimed at peace and stability through a credible deterrence regime,” the ISPR said.

ASFC Commander Lt Gen Mian Muhammad Hilal Hussain, who witnessed the tests, according to the ISPR, “appreciated the standard of training and operational preparedness of Army Strategic Forces”.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2018