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Pakistan may test long-range missiles

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Oct. 14. For the third time in 11 days Pakistan today test-fired a nuclear-capable medium range missile (payload 700 km) and announced that it marked the end of the series of tests it had embarked on October 3. However, it said it could consider testing longer-range versions in the future. The missile tested today, Hatf-IV/Shaheen 1, was the same that was put in the field last week. A Pakistan military statement said the test was needed to verify some additional parameters. On October 3, Pakistan tested the short-range Ghaznavi missile or Hatf-III, which can carry a nuclear warhead 290 km.

The tests ``reflect Pakistan's resolve and determination to continue to consolidate its minimum deterrence needs and national security.'' Pakistan has been speaking of offsetting the `imbalance' in conventional arms between India and Pakistan. It has been complaining at every forum about what it calls ``aggressive acquisition of arms'' by India in recent months. This was one of the main items on the agenda of the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, and the Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, when they met the United States President, George W. Bush, recently.

The recent pact between India and Israel and Russia on the Phalcon deal has evoked a very sharp reaction here with Gen. Musharraf saying that Islamabad would take steps to counter the threat. ``They have reached an agreement and we will counter it. That has to be very clear,'' he told a foreign newspaper in his latest interview.

Mr. Jamali also talked about the deal at the military passing-out parade and said that everything would be done to equip the armed forces with the best possible technology to counter all challenges.

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