RAWALPINDI, Feb 23: Pakistan on Friday successfully test fired a long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II). The missile test was part of continuous process of validation and technical improvement to consolidate and verify Pakistan’s various land-based strategic missile systems.

Hatf VI is Pakistan’s longest range (2,000km) missile. It is a two-stage solid fuel missile, which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy.

The test was witnessed by Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman Gen Ehsanul Haq, who congratulated scientists, engineers and staff of Pakistan’s strategic organisations on achieving an important milestone in the country’s quest for sustaining strategic balance in South Asia.Speaking after the test, he made it clear that Pakistan’s strategy of credible minimum deterrence was fully in place and was a guarantee of peace in the region.