World
Pakistan successfully test fires ballistic missile
Source: Xinhuanet | 02-23-2007 19:06
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| File Photo: Pakistan ballistic missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II) |
The official APP news agency quoted the military sources as saying that the test of the missile was part of the continuous process of validation and technical improvement, which Pakistan follows to consolidate and verify its various land based strategic missile systems.
It said that Hatf VI (Shaheen II) was Pakistan's longest range ballistic missile system with a range of 2,000 kilometers. It is a two-stage solid fuel missile, which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads with high accuracy.
The test was witnessed by Chairman of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsan Ul Haq, who congratulated the scientists, engineers and the staff of Pakistan's Strategic Organizations on achieving an important milestone in Pakistan's quest for sustaining strategic balance in South Asia.
Speaking after the successful test, Haq made it clear that Pakistan's strategy of credible minimum deterrence was fully in place and was a guarantee of peace in the region.
He said that the defense need of the country would always remain a government priority and the strategic program particularly, which enjoyed complete national consensus, would continue to be consolidated and strengthened in line with the needs of national security.
In separate messages, Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have also congratulated the technical team on its outstanding success.
Editor:Du Xiaodan
