RAWALPINDI, Feb 15: Pakistan successfully test-fired on Friday a short-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Hatf-II (Abdali), as part of the process of validation of land-based ballistic missile systems.

Abdali, with a range of 180km, carries nuclear as well as conventional warheads with high accuracy.

The weapon system, with its varied manoeuvrability options, provides a much-needed capacity to Pakistan’s strategic forces.

According to the ISPR, the test was witnessed by Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne, Director General of Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen (retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Commander of the Army Strategic Forces Command Lt Gen Tariq Nadeem Gilani, senior officers from the strategic forces and scientists and engineers of strategic organisations.—APP