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Pakistan tests N-capable
Hatf-V missile
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Pakistan on Saturday conducted a successful test-fire of
its nuclear capable Hatf-V Ghauri Intermediate Range Ballistic
Missile.
“The Ghauri missile, which can carry all types of
warheads up to 1,500 kilometers, is second only to Hatf-VI
Shaheen-II in terms of range,” says a Press statement
issued by the ISPR here on Saturday after Islamabad conducted
a successful test of the medium range missile.
A special feature of today’s test of Ghauri missile
was that it was witnessed by Prime Minister Jamali. As per
standard practice, neighboring countries were given advance
notice of the test.
The missile was named after the 12th century Afghan king
Shahabuddin Ghauri. Ghauri captured western parts of India
between 1176 and 1182, but was defeated in his first battle
for northern India by Prithviraj Chauhan in 1191.
Ghauri returned in June 1192 when he defeated Prithviraj.
He captured Delhi in 1199, but established his kingdom formally
in 1206.
The test is in continuation of the series of tests which
are conducted by Pakistan from time to time to validate
various improvements in the qualitative parameters of its
vast range of ballistic missiles inventory.
It may be recalled that Shaheen-II, with a range of 2,000
km, was successfully tested in March this year with its
impact point at sea. Pakistan had conducted a series of
missiles tests in past in order to demonstrate its superb
technology.
The prime minister was accompanied by the Chairman JCSC
General Aziz Khan, Director General Strategic Plans Division
Lt. Gen. Khalid Kidwai, Commander Army Strategic Force Command
Lt. Gen. Ghulam Mustafa, Chairman KRL Dr. Javed Mirza and
Chairman NESCOM Dr. Samar Mubarakmand.
Later, talking to the scientists, engineers and staff who
participated in the launch, the prime minister congratulated
all concerned on their unique technical success and spirit
of team-work between various strategic organisations which
resulted in achieving unprecedented results.
He said that Pakistan’s policy of maintaining minimum
credible deterrence as a cornerstone of its national security
policy, had been conceived after much thought and care and
it had stood the test of time and events of the last several
years.
The prime minister made it clear that Pakistan’s edge
over its adversaries in the strategic field will be maintained
at all cost and his government will provide necessary resources
to maintain the quality of the nation’s deterrence.
The Ghauri missile system was inducted into the army strategic
forces command early last year along with Shaheen-I and
Ghaznavi ballistic missile systems.
In May 1998 India had stunned the world by conducting underground
nuclear bomb tests at Pokharan, bordering Pakistan. Pakistan
also responded these tests while testing its nuclear arsenals
at Chaghai on May 28 the same year.
Pakistan had conducted a series of missiles tests in last
year and it can easily hit all important cities of India.
After initiation of peace process in the aftermath of last
SAARC Summitt held in Islamabad, both the countries have
agreed to take various steps to normalise their bilateral
through peaceful talks.
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