ISLAMABAD: Army’s strategic forces on Monday successfully conducted the ‘training launch’ of Shaheen-I ballistic missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

“The launch was conducted as part of a training exercise aimed at testing the operational readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement after the test, which was witnessed by Director General of Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen Sarfraz Sattar, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command Lt Gen Qazi Muhammad Ikram Ahmad and other senior officials.

The ISPR said that troops involved in the exercise displayed “a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating the potent weapon system”. The operational readiness of the troops, it added, ensured Pakistan’s credible minimum deterrence.

Shaheen-I missile is capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear warheads up to a range of 650 kilometres.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2019