ISLAMABAD, March 11: Pakistan successfully test-fired on Friday a short-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hataf-2 (Abdali).

The test conducted at an undisclosed location was part of the process of validation and technical improvement in the land-based ballistic missile systems.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations, Hataf-2 with a range of 180km can carry nuclear as well as conventional warheads with high accuracy.

The test was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lt-Gen (retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lt-Gen Jamil Haider and Chairman Suparco Maj-Gen Ahmed Bilal.

Gen Wynne said the test would go a long way in consolidating Pakistan's strategic deterrence capability and strengthening national security. He said the Abdali weapons system provided an operational level capability in addition to the strategic level capability, which Pakistan already possessed because of its medium-range and long-range ballistic missile systems.