Pakistan conducts tests of two ballistic missiles
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Pakistan Saturday conducted successful tests of two ballistic missiles, which can carry " conventional and nuclear warheads," the army said.
"Pakistan today conducted successful training launches of a Short Range Ballistic Missile Hatf III (GHAZNAVI), and a Medium Range Ballistic Missile Hatf IV (SHAHEEN 1)," an army statement said.
Both missiles can carry conventional and nuclear warheads to a range of 290 kilometers and 650 kilometers respectively, it said.
The two launches were conducted at the conclusion of the annual field training exercises of Army Strategic Force Command, which were aimed at testing the operational readiness of Strategic Missile Groups equipped with Ghaznavi and Shaheen Missile Systems, the statement said.
The field launches were witnessed by Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir and other senior military officials.
Addressing the troops in the exercise area, the prime minister congratulated them on displaying a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating the state of the art weapon systems.
"The nation had developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability and expected that the officers and men entrusted with the task of deterring aggression would continue to train hard and maintain professional excellence," Gilani said.
He said that Pakistan's Armed Forces were fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan's security against all kinds of aggression. He assured that his government will continue to support the strategic program and meet all its needs.
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