Pakistan said yesterday it had successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable cruise missile amid global concerns about the atomic arsenal of a nation under emergency rule.
The locally developed Babur (Hatf 7) missile has a range of 700km and uses stealth technology, a defense ministry spokesman said.
"The test will consolidate Pakistan's strategic capability and strengthen national security," the army said in a statement.
"The Babur, which has near stealth capabilities, is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile with high maneuverability, pinpoint accuracy and radar-avoidance features," it said.
President Pervez Musharraf and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro congratulated scientists and engineers involved in the missile program "on this very important success," the statement said.
Pakistan had tested the missile in March and again in July. It was first fired in 2005, when its range was only 500km.
The latest test comes with the safety of Pakistan's estimated 50 nuclear warheads under international scrutiny since Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Nov. 3.
Pakistan confirmed last month that the US was helping it ensure the security of its atomic weapons and shrugged off reports of a secret program with Washington as nothing new.
The foreign ministry said the strategic arms were safe and secure under a tight command-and-control structure run entirely by Pakistan and angrily dismissed fears that they could fall into the wrong hands.
A New York Times report had said that the US has been helping ensure their security in a top-secret program that has cost the US almost US$100 million since 2001.
Pakistan did not say if it had informed New Delhi in advance about the latest test. They have an agreement to notify each other about tests of ballistic missiles, but not cruise missiles.
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