Pakistan Conducts Third Test-Firing Of Stealth Missile

December 11, 2007 5:31 p.m. EST

Islamabad, Pakistan (AHN) - Pakistan on Tuesday successfully test-fired a locally made cruise missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The test-firing of the Hatf 7 was the third for the low flying, terrain hugging missile that can be maneuvered to accurately hit targets 435 miles (700 kilometers) away. Similar tests were conducted in July and in 2005.

Pakitan's military said the test was conducted "to validate the design parameters of the weapon" and added it will demonstrate the country's strategic capability and strengthen national security.

General Tariq Majid, chairman of the joint chief of staff committee, together with senior military officers, scientists and engineers witnessed the test-firing.

Aside from the Hatf 7, Pakistan has other nuclear-capable missiles, including the Hatf 6, which has a range of 1,243 miles (2,000 kilometers).