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Pakistan test-fires Hatf missile

B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday tested for the second time its 500-km range cruise missile Hatf VII (Babur), which can carry all types of warheads.

President Pervez Musharraf witnessed the test, conducted at an undisclosed destination. "All phases of the planned trajectory were extremely successful and the missile impacted with pinpoint accuracy," an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release said.

Since the proliferation scandal centred on its nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan became public in early 2004, Pakistan has conducted several ballistic and cruise missile tests.

The indigenously developed Babur was tested for the first time in August 2005. The cruise missile, which was tested in the ground-launched version, could also be placed in submarines and on surface ships, the statement said.

Babur, which has near-stealth capabilities, is a low flying, terrain-hugging missile with high manoeuvrability, pinpoint accuracy and radar avoidance features, says the ISPR. Gen. Musharraf said the nation was proud of its scientists and engineers, who once again demonstrated their ability to master rare technologies. His Government would continue to support their endeavours instrengthening national defence.

The strategic programme, which had come to symbolise the nation's security resolve, would go from strength to strength with credible minimum deterrence as the cornerstone, he said.

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