Pakistan tests nuclear-capable Intermediate Range Ballistic missile

Pakistan on Wednesday conducted a successful launch of the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, which can carry nuclear warheads, the military said.

The missile is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 900 kilometers, an army statement said.

“Pakistan today conducted a successful launch of the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1 Weapon System,” a statement from the army’s Inter-Services Public Relations said.

It said the missile incorporates series of improvements in range and technical parameters of the existing missile.

Today’s launch, whose impact point was at sea, was witnessed by senior officials who deal with Pakistan’s missile system.

The officials who were present at the test included Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General (Retired) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Chairman the National Engineering and Scientific Commission NESCOM Mr Muhammad Irfan Burney and other senior military officers, scientists and engineers.

Mr. Kidwai said that the improved version of Shaheen 1 has consolidated and strengthened Pakistan’s deterrence abilities manifold. He appreciated the efforts of all personnel for their dedication and professionalism.


He congratulated all scientists and engineers on the successful launch, the military statement said.

Pakistan has several type of nuclear capable missiles and many of them can hit a target in neighbouring India.

Similarly India also has different versions of missiles which can reach any city in Pakistan.

Both countries routinely conduct tests of missiles. They conducted tit-for-tat nuclear tests in 1998.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since their independence from the British colonial rule in 1947.