Pakistan kicks off missile tests ( 2003-10-05 17:13) (cnn.com)
Pakistan's military says it
has successfully tested a short-range missile capable of carrying conventional
or nuclear weapons, the first of several planned launches in the coming days.
The surface-to-surface Hatf-3 Ghaznavi missile has a range of 290 kilometers
(180 miles), making it capable of striking several key targets within
neighboring nuclear rival, India.
Shortly after the test, military officials released a statement saying India
and other neighboring countries had been informed of the test in advance, in
accordance with standard procedure.
It did not say where the launch took place.
New Delhi has not made any comment on the Pakistani test other than to say it
was notified prior to the test.
Pakistan says the test shows the country's commitment to regional peace.
"The timing of the tests reflect Pakistan's determination not to engage in a
tit-for-tat syndrome to other tests in the region," according to an army
statement.
"Pakistan will maintain the pace of its own missile defense program and
conduct tests as per its technical needs."
It is the second time Pakistan has tested the surface-to-surface Hataf-3
Ghaznavi.
In March, Pakistan and India conducted a series of missile tests, raising
fears of a heightened arms race between the two South Asian rivals.
Since achieving independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have
fought three wars, two of them over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir.
In mid-2002 the two countries stood on the brink of a fourth war amid
tensions over what India said was Pakistani support for Islamic militants
carrying out terrorist attacks on Indian soil.
Pakistan denies the Indian charges, saying it only gives moral support to
groups advocating the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination.
In recent months the two sides have made tentative steps towards easing
tensions, re-establishing full diplomatic ties and re-connecting transport
links.
However, both countries retain tens of thousands of troops along their joint
frontier and conduct regular missile tests as a way of flexing diplomatic muscle
and demonstrating their military readiness.
