Pak test-fires long-range nuke missile

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan successfully test-fired its 2000 km long range nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II) on Friday.

"The missile test was part of the continuous process of validation and technical improvement which Pakistan follows to consolidate and verify its various land based strategic missile systems," a defence statement said.

Hatf VI is Pakistan's longest range ballistic missile system with a range of 2000 kilometres. It is a two stage solid fuel missile which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy.

Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have congratulated the technical team on its success.

The test was witnessed by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsan Ul-Haq, who congratulated the scientists, engineers and the staff of Pakistan's Strategic Organisations on achieving an important milestone in Pakistan's quest for sustaining strategic balance in South Asia.

Speaking after the successful test, Gen. Haq made it clear that Pakistan's strategy of credible minimum deterrence was fully in place and was a guarantee of peace in the region.

"The defence need of the country would always remain a government priority and the strategic programme particularly, which enjoyed complete national consensus, would continue to be consolidated and strengthened in line with the needs of national security," he said.