Pakistan has conducted a successful test of an enhanced range version of the indigenously developed Babur cruise missile 1B, the military's media affairs wing said on Tuesday.

According to The Associated Press, the cruise missile has a range of more than 900 kilometres, twice the distance of an earlier missile of the same model.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that today's launch was witnessed by Strategic Plans Division Director General Lieutenant General Nadeem Zaki Manj, National Engineering and Scientific Commission Chairman Dr Raza Samar and Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali.

Senior officers from the Strategic Plans Division, Strategic Forces, scientists and the engineers of strategic organisations were also present.

The director general of the Strategic Plans Division congratulated the scientists and engineers on "achieving excellence in the domain of cruise missile technology and expressed his full confidence that this test will further strengthen Pakistan’s strategic deterrence," the ISPR statement said.

President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Nadeem Raza and the services chiefs also congratulated the scientists and engineers on conducting the successful launch, the statement said.

In February, the military had successfully test-fired an earlier version of the missile with the capability to hit land and sea targets up to 450 kilometres away.

The Babur cruise missile 1A was launched from a "state of the art Multi Tube Missile Launch Vehicle", the ISPR statement had said.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...