ISLAMABAD, May 25: The successful test fire of Hataf-V surface-to-surface medium range Missile on Saturday by Pakistan marks the third test of the Ghori series.

Pakistan had carried out first test of the missile range in 1998 with successful launch of Gahuri, whereas India began missile development programme way back in 1983.

According to the data compiled through various sources, on May 12 1998, India carried out nuclear tests forcing Pakistan to follow suit by issuing provocative statements and on May 28 Pakistan successfully tested its nuclear capability.

In April again, India tested the nuclear-capable Agni-II with a range of around 2,500 kilometres.

Pakistan was again forced to take steps to safeguard its territorial integrity and sovereignty and tested its Ghori II missile, with a range of 1,500 kilometres, and its Shaheen missile with 800 kilometres range.

In February 2000 Pakistan test-fired a short-range Hatf-I surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a reach of up to 100 kilometres.

On Jan 25, 2002, India test-fired intermediate Agni-I missile with a range of 700 kilometres.

In April 2002, India again tested a supersonic cruise missile, known as Brahmos, jointly developed with Russia.

The missile has a range of 300 kilometres and can carry a payload of 200 kgs.

In addition to the Agni (Fire) series, India has already inducted the Prithvi (Earth) missile, a more cumbersome, fixed-silo delivery system with a maximum range of 250 kilometres.

India has also tested a Trident short-range surface-to-air missile.

India’s Prithvi with the range of 150-250 Km capable of carrying payload of 100-500 kgs was launched on Feb 25, 1988 and is operational since 1995. It’s Agni missile with the range of 2500 kms with the payload of 1000 kg was launched in may 1989 and is operational since 2000.

There are reports that India is also working on other missiles like Sarika with a 250-300 kms range, Dhanush with 300 to 350 Kms range and Surya with 12,000 kms range.—APP