In our own political drama, we are not paying attention for what is happening across the border.
NEW DELHI: India successfully tested a short-range version of its most powerful nuclear-capable missile on Sunday as neighbouring nuclear rival celebrated 68th Pakistan Day.
The Agni-I missile, which can travel up to 700 kilometres, was test fired over the Bay of Bengal from Wheeler’s Island, off India’s east coast, at 10.15am on Sunday, the Defence Ministry said in a press release.
“The missile had a textbook performance in terms of range, accuracy and lethality,” the ministry said.
The Defence Ministry’s release called Sunday’s test “yet another milestone in the preparedness of the country in the area of strategic defence”.
New Delhi says it developed its missile programme as a deterrent against China and Pakistan.
Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan routinely carry out missile tests, although they normally notify each other in advance.
It is not clear whether Pakistan was aware of the test before it was carried out.
No immediate response was available from Pakistan on Sunday evening.
In April, India staged a successful test of Agni-III, its longest-range ballistic missile, capable of transporting a nuclear warhead more than 3,000 kilometres, putting targets deep inside China within its reach.
India has developed a series of nuclear and conventional missile systems, as part of a missile development programme launched in 1983.
The Agni series is one of five developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation.
India’s missile arsenal includes the short-range Prithvi ballistic missile, the surface-to-air Trishul, medium-range multi-purpose Akash, the anti-tank Nag and the supersonic Brahmos.
The Agni missiles are the most powerful. agencies
Source:
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...4-3-2008_pg1_3
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