ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Pakistan said it successfully test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile on Friday, six days before holding general elections.

Pakistan described the test-firing as “routine”.

“Prior notification of the test had been given to neighbours as well as some friendly countries,” Inter-Services Public Relations directorate said in a press release.

The missile was named as Hatf-IV (Shaheen-1), which Jane’s Defence Weekly says has a range of 700km (430 miles) and can carry a 1,000kg (2,200lb) warhead.

Meanwhile, Pakistan accused India of initiating an arms race by test-firing a surface to air missile Friday.

“We believe that India has done this to initiate an arms race which Pakistan has not at all indulged in,” Information Minister, Nisar Memon, told AFP.

The United States said on Friday that it was “disappointed” at rival missile tests launched by nuclear rivals India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Japan expressed its regret over the Pakistan’s missile test, saying it would only contribute to an intensifying of arms race between India and Pakistan.

“The government of Japan expresses its regret that Pakistan’s missile launch test not only would intensify the missile development race in South Asia, but would also worsen the tension,” a statement said. Japan’s statement came ahead of India’s test later Friday.

Sweden also regretted that Pakistan had carried out the test firing of a ballistic missile, adding that the initiative could have “negative consequences for security” in the region.