Pak test-fires N-head capacity missile

“The test was carried out as part of Pakistan’s integrated research and development programme,” it said adding “it represents a step forward in the country’s indigenous missile and satellite launch programme.”

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who earlier this morning announced the news of the test-firing at the National Defence College, amidst thunderous applause from the officers, congratulated the scientists on their achievement.

Pakistan nuclear scientists had earlier claimed that Ghauri, an improved version of the Hatf, with the capability of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, can hit any Indian city including Chennai inthe south, Assam in the east and the Kerala coast.

Ghauri, which Pakistani scientists claimed was Islamabad’s answer to India’s Prithvi and Agni missiles, has been developed by the father of the country’s nuclear programme, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, and his team at the Kahuta research laboratory.

The site of the test was, however, not disclosed. Media reports here said the Ghauri team was confident about the success of the test flight as all laboratory tests of the missile had proved successful.

The test firing of Ghauri was in fact delayed by about a fortnight as earlier media reports here had suggested that the new missile was to be tested on March 22 and then displayed during the Pakistan Day parade on March 23.

But the flight test was put on hold apparently due to pressure from the United States, media reports had said.

Even the US did not refute reports that it had pressurised Pakistani authorities to abandon the test for the time being. Local media quoted a US department official as saying, “Ourthinking is that introduction of such a weapon is not going to improve security of either Pakistan or India.”

Although Islamabad earlier claimed it was indigenously developing short range missiles like Hatf-1 and Hatf-11 with the capability of hitting targets at a distance of upto 300 km, a US magazine recently claimed China was actively supporting Pakistan in its efforts to develop missiles.

Ghauri was test-fired amidst allegations by Opposition parties led by former premier Benazir Bhutto, that the Sharif government was not taking any notice of the “deployment” of Prithvi missiles by India near the border, a charge already denied by New Delhi. Political analysts here are, however, surprised at the timing of the test flight in view of earlier reports that it had been postponed and that the groundwork was being laid for reviving the stalled Indo-Pak dialogue process after the premiers of the two countries exchanged some warm messages a couple of weeks ago.