Pakistan on Tuesday test fired a medium range nuclear capable cruise missile, with a range of 700 kilometres, which could hit targets inside India.
The test firing of the missile was successful and 'part of a continuous process of validating the design parameters for this weapon system,' the army said in a statement.
It did not say where the test was carried out. State-run PTV showed footage of the missile lifting off from a launcher.
'The test will consolidate Pakistan's strategic capability and strengthen national security,' the statement said.
The launch came close on the heels of a series of tests by India of a missile defence system, the latest on December 6, and concerns expressed by the West over the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
Meanwhile, Gen Tariq Majid, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said Pakistan will mount a strong response to any attempt to neutralise or seize the country's nuclear arsenal.
Referring to 'insinuations' made by 'some vested and hostile elements in the international media regarding the security of Pakistan's nuclear assets,' he noted suggestions that Pakistan's nuclear assets 'could either be neutralised or taken away towards a safer place to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.'
'No responsible state in the world can contemplate such an impossible operation,' Majid said.
Majid said if someone did create such a scenario, he was confident that Pakistan would meet the challenge strongly.
He said, 'Pakistan's nuclear assets are very safe and secure, and the nation need not to worry on that account. There is a very strong security system in place which can ward off all threats, internal as well as external.'
The Babar cruise missile can carry nuclear or conventional warheads. The 1.5-tonne, 22-foot missile is capable of carrying a 250-kg warhead. It is believed Pakistan is working on developing a nuclear warhead that would fit into it.
More from rediff