Pak test-fires nuclear capable missile

Pakistan on Saturday test-fired a short-range surface-to-surface nuclear capable missile Hatf-II Abdali, barely eight days after a similar test.        

The missile with a range of 200 km was an 'indigenously developed' short-range ballistic missile, which could carry all types of warheads, a defence statement issued in Islamabad said, adding that the test firing was aimed at validating 'desired technical parameters, which had been successfully achieved.'

Abdali, named after the 18th century Afghan monarch, Ahmad Shah Abdali who invaded parts of India was last test-fired in February 2006.

Pakistan said it had informed India of its plans to test the missile as per an agreement that warranted the two countries give prior notices of ballistic missile tests.

Saturday's test was carried out eight days after the test firing of its long-range missile Shaheen II also called Hatf VI, which officials claimed had a range of 2000 km.

The missile tests were being conducted as Pakistan geared up for the first meeting of joint mechanism on terrorism with India, which was scheduled to be held in Islamabad on March six and seven.

Also foreign secretary-level talks between the two countries were scheduled to be held on March 13-14 to formally begin the fourth round of composite dialogue process.

The missile test was carried out amid reports that the Pakistan army and troops of Afghan National Army exchanged fire in the Kudakhel area of Mohmand Agency on Friday.

The Afghan army fired several rockets on a border post of the Pakistan army in Kudakhel. Army and paramilitary troops are jointly manning the post. The rocket attack triggered skirmishes and the two sides exchanged fire, local media reported.

The missile with a short range was test fired amid deepening row between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the infiltration of Taliban.

Under increasing pressure from US and NATO, Pakistan had on Friday claimed to have arrested Taliban number two Mullah Obadiullah Akhund.

Another significant aspect of its timing was that the missile test came amid reports that Iran which shared a 700 km long border with Pakistan started building massive wall to prevent what the Iranian officials said 'illegal immigration' from Pakistan.