ISLAMABAD: The Army Strategic Forces Command successfully tested on Wednesday the parameters of the nuclear-capable Ghauri missile.

“Pakistan today successfully conducted training launch of Ghauri Missile System. The launch was conducted by a Strategic Missile Group of the Army Strategic Forces Command that was aimed at testing the operational and technical readiness of the command,” a military spokesman said.

Ghauri is a ballistic missile which uses liquid fuel and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads over a distance of 1,300km. Its first test was conducted in April 1998 and has been in service since 2003.

According to defence officials, a training launch is a “routine test of parameters”.

The test was witnessed by senior officers of the Strategic Plans Division and strategic forces and scientists and engineers of the strategic organisations.

In a statement, the director-general of the Strategic Plans Division, Lt Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, “expressed his full satisfaction over the excellent standard achieved by the Strategic Forces during training which was duly reflected by the proficient handling of the weapon system in the field and fulfilment of all laid down operational and technical objectives.”

Gen Hayat said Pakistan could be proud of its defence capability and the credibility of its nuclear deterrence.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also praised the missile’s successful launch.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2015

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