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Pakistan test-fires ballistic missile

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army on Friday conducted a training launch of a medium-range ballistic missile called Shaheen-1, also known as Hatf 4.

The missile, which has a range of 700 km, can carry nuclear warheads. The military said in a statement that Shaheen is an operationalised weapon system that is routinely fired during training exercises by the troops of the Army Strategic Force Command.

Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who was present at the launch, said Pakistan did not have any aggressive designs against anyone Amid international concerns about the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal in the prevailing political uncertainty, Gen. Kayani said such concerns were “unrealistic” and based on a “lack of understanding” about Pakistan’s command and control mechanisms.

The Pakistani armed forces were a highly professional, motivated and well-trained force and were capable of safeguarding and securing nuclear assets against all threats, he said.

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