`Unique test’ of Ghauri in offing, says The Nation

The paper also claimed that Pakistani scientists had already increased the range of Ghauri ballistic missile up to 1700 kms and in the next phase the range would be further extended up to 2500 kms.

The tests were continuing to increase Ghauri’s capability to travel farther and the initial tests in this regard have already proved successful, the paper said.

Pakistan had announced the successful test firing of Ghauri missile with a range of 1500 kms on April 6 last and had claimed that the missile had been indigenously developed. But, later American intelligence sources confirmed that the missile was in fact North Korean `Nadong’ and barely afortnight after the test, America slapped sanctions on both Islamabad and North Korea under Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

The Nation said the `unique test’ of Ghauri was expected to be conducted by the end of this month in which the missile would be tipped with nuclear warheads and fired from surface to air up to an altitude of 2000 metres.

Liquid fuel had been used in Ghauri missile and positive results were achieved to convert this type of missile fuel into solid fuel, the paper said.