ISLAMABAD: Pakistan test-fired on Monday nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen III. It is claimed that the missile has bolstered the country’s deterrence capability by bringing entire India within striking range.

“Pakistan today conducted a successful test launch of Shaheen-III surface to surface ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads,” a military spokesman said after tests were conducted at an undisclosed location. The point of impact was in the Arabian Sea.

The timing of the test of the solid fuel missile appeared to be significant because it was carried out in the backdrop of agreements signed during President Obama’s recent visit to India, some of which the Pakistan government believed threatened regional deterrence and strategic stability.

The Pakistan government had then said that it “reserves the right to safeguard its national security interests”.

The new missile has a range of 2,750 kilometres, which means it can reach the farthest point in India.

Pakistan has already developed a range of delivery systems capable of carrying nuclear warheads, but till now India’s north-east and Andaman and Nicobar Islands were beyond their reach.

“There is no place in India that is now out of range of Pakistani missiles,” nuclear expert Brig retired Naeem Salik said.

The Director General of Strategic Plans Division (SPD), Lt Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, was quoted by ISPR as saying that the test was a major step towards strengthening the country’s deterrence capability.

Another SPD official said that the credibility of deterrence capability had been fully established with Shaheen-III test.

“Some of their (Indian) systems were earlier out of range. They have now been covered with the successful test of the medium range Shaheen-III. There are no more gaps,” a defence analyst said.

Speaking about the range of the new missile, officials said that Pakistan’s missile programme was not threat specific and unlike India, Pakistan had no extra-regional ambitions.

The ISPR said: “The successful test launch and achievement of this range milestone has also been warmly appreciated by President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who congratulated scientists and engineers on their outstanding achievement.”

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2015

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