Pak tests nuclear-capable short-range Hatf-IX missile

The missile has a range of 60 km,aimed at 'deterring evolving threats at shorter range'.

Pakistan today successfully carried out a test of its quick reaction tactical nuclear-capable Hatf-IX missile with a range of 60 km,aimed at 8220;deterring evolving threats at shorter range.8221;

The military described the test of the 8220;indigenously developed short range,surface-to-surface multi-tube missile Hatf-IX8221; or Nasr as successful.

A military statement said the missile can carry 8220;nuclear warheads of appropriate yield with high accuracy and possesses shoot and scoot attributes8221;.

8220;This quick response system addresses the need to deter evolving threats,specially at shorter ranges,8221; it said.

It did not say where the test was conducted. The first test of the Hatf-IX was conducted in April last year.

At the time,experts and analysts said the short-range missile was primarily aimed at deterring India8217;s Cold Start military doctrine,which envisages quick thrusts by small integrated battle groups in the event of hostilities.

Experts have said the Hatf-IX will be deployed with a mobile multi-barrel launch system that has 8220;shoot and scoot attributes8221;,or the ability to fire at a target and immediately relocate to another position to avoid enemy counter-fire.

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Today8217;s test was witnessed by Lt Gen retired Khalid Kidwai,the chief of the Strategic Plans Division,which is responsible for managing Pakistan8217;s nuclear arsenal.

Kidwai described the Hatf-IX as 8220;a weapon of peace8221; and claimed the test 8220;was a major development which will consolidate Pakistan8217;s deterrence capability at all levels of the threat spectrum,thereby ensuring peace in the region8221;. The test was also witnessed by NESCOM Chairman Irfan Burney,Army Strategic Forces Command chief Lt Gen Tariq Nadeem Gilani,senior officers from the strategic forces and scientists and engineers of strategic organisations.

The test was 8220;warmly appreciated8221; by the President,Prime Minister and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee,who congratulated the scientists and engineers.

Pakistan has conducted several missile tests in recent weeks.

On April 25,it tested an improved version of the nuclear-capable Hatf-IV with a range of 1,000 km while the nuclear-capable Hatf-III,with a range of 290 km,was tested on May 10.