Pakistan tests nuclear-capable missile

Pakistan on Friday morning tested Hatf-III, a nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface missile.

The missile, which can carry a nuclear or conventional warhead up to 290 km in 60 to 70 seconds, was tested for the second time in recent months, an official announcement in Islamabad said.

Data collected after the test, held at an undisclosed location, had indicated that all parameters had been successfully validated, the announcement said.

"Pakistan will maintain the pace of its own missile development programme and conduct tests as per its technical needs," an official statement said.

Prior notification of the test had been given to India and other neighbouring countries.