Islamabad, May 10: Pakistan on Thursday conducted a successful training launch of Short Range Ballistic Missile Hatf III (Ghaznavi).
 According to an ISPR press release, the Ballistic Missile with a range of 290 kilometers is capable of carrying both nuclear as well as conventional warheads. “The launch was conducted at the conclusion of the annual field training exercise of Army Strategic Force Command, aimed at testing the operational readiness of a Strategic Missile Group”, the statement said.
 The exercise of the ASFC was witnessed by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R), Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lieutenant General Tariq Nadeem Gilani, Commander Karachi Corps Lieutenant General Muhammad Ijaz Chaudhry, Chairman NESCOM Muhammad Irfan Burney, and other senior military officials and scientists.
 Addressing the troops on the occasion, the CJCSC commended the troops on displaying a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating the state of the art weapon system.
 He said that the nation had developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability and expected that the officers and men entrusted with the task of deterring aggression would continue to train hard and maintain professional excellence.  He said that Pakistan’s Armed Forces were fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan’s security against aggression.
 Meanwhile, the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan have congratulated the ASFC troops, the scientists and the engineers on their outstanding success.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 IST