ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (IANS) - Pakistan Tuesday successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Ghauri Hatf-V missile that has a range of 1,300 km, an official statement said.
The medium-range missile can carry a variety of warheads, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.
The missile was test-fired at an unknown location.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani have congratulated Pakistani scientists on the successful test-firing of the missile, Aaj TV reported.
The missile is named after 13th century Afghan ruler Shahabuddin Muhammad Ghauri of the Ghauri dynasty who reigned over an area spanning present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India, while Hatf originates from the name of the sword/lance of Prophet Muhammad.
Powered by a single stage liquid fuel rocket motor, the missile can carry a payload of 700 kg. The Ghauri missiles are part of Pakistan's Integrated Missile Research and Development Programme (IMRDP).
