BALASORE (Orissa), Sept 24 (PTI) - India's indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile failed to take off during a user trial from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off the Orissa coast today apparently due to a technical problem, defence sources said.
Though the ITR authorities were not immediately available for comment, defence sources said the sophisticated missile could not take off during the planned trial from the launch complex-III of the test range due to some "technical snag."
"The failure to lift Prithvi-II was due to a snag either in the main missile or the sub-system, including the launcher," they said, adding, the test-fire was slated to be held as part of user's trial by the armed forces.
During today's planned trial, a noise could be heard as smoke billowed from the launch site around the time of the blasting.