Pakistan test-fires nuke-capable Ghauri ballistic missile

Neighbour Pakistan on Monday test-fired Ghauri ballistic missile. Notably, Ghauri ballistic missile is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads up to a distance of 1,300 kilometres.

The launch was witnessed by Commander Army Strategic Forces Lt-Gen Hussain, Chairman NESCOM Dr Nabeel Hayat Malik and Chairman KRL Tahir Ikram apart from senior officers from the strategic forces, scientists and engineers of strategic organizations.

The Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the army said that the launch was conducted by Army Strategic Forces Command and was aimed at testing the operational and technical readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command.

In a statement, it said, “Ghauri Ballistic Missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads up to a distance of 1,300 kms.” “Army Strategic Forces Command chief Lt Gen Muhammad Hilal Hussain appreciated the standard of training and operational preparedness of Army Strategic Forces,” the statement read.

Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan also appreciated the scientists and engineers on the successful conduct of the missile test.

In April this year, Pakistan test-fired an enhanced version of the indigenously-built Babur cruise missile that can deliver conventional and non-conventional weapons with a range of 700 kilometres.

The ‘Babur Weapon System-1 (B)’ is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile, which carries certain stealth features and is capable of carrying various types of warheads. “The missile incorporates advanced aerodynamics and avionics that can strike targets both at land and sea with high accuracy,” the army claimed.

Also Read: Pakistan wanted US help to mend relations with India; US rejects