RAWALPINDI, April 29: Pakistan on Saturday test-fired nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II), an upgraded version of a missle system capable of hitting targets 2,000 kilometres away with high accuracy.

A statement said the test was conducted to validate additional technical parameters beyond those that were verified in the last missile test in March 2005.

It said that Hatf VI (Shaheen-II) was Pakistan’s longest-range ballistic missile system and its advanced version had a potential to achieve a range of 2,500 kilometres. The two-stage solid-fuelled missile was capable of carrying high-accuracy nuclear and conventional warheads, the statement said.

The test was witnessed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who congratulated scientists, engineers and technical staff of Pakistan’s Strategic Organisations on achieving “another milestone on the road to success”.

The prime minister said that Pakistan’s strategy of credible minimum deterrence was fully in place, adding that it guaranteed peace in the region. He said that the country’s defence needs would always remain a priority and the strategic programme, which enjoyed universal support within the country, would go from strength to strength.

Referring to recent US-India civilian nuclear energy deal, the prime minister said the government was fully alive to developments in the region, adding that that Pakistan would never accept any discrimination.

“We will continue to pursue vigorously our security and energy needs from all sources, including nuclear,” the prime minister said.