Pakistan Test-Fires Cruise Missile
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The Associated Press
Tue, Mar 21, 2006
By Paul Garwood

Islamabad, Pakistan--Pakistan on Tuesday successfully test-fired a cruise missile that can carry a nuclear warhead and hit targets within a 310-mile range, the army said.

Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf witnessed the firing, which took place at an undisclosed location inside Pakistan and was the second test of the Hatf VI cruise missile, also known as the Babur, an army statement said.

"All phases of the planned trajectory were extremely successful and the missile impacted with pinpoint accuracy," the statement said.

Pakistan's nuclear-armed neighbor India was not given prior notice of the test as it did not fall under an accord that covers notification of ballistic missile tests, a senior security official said.

The Babur cruise missile can be fired from various platforms, including ground positions, surface ships and submarines, the army said.

The statement described it as a "low-flying, terrain-hugging missile with high maneuverability, pinpoint accuracy and radar avoiding features."

Musharraf was quoted as saying the firing demonstrated Pakistani proficiency in wepapons production and that his government will "continue to provide all support to their endeavors in fortifying national defense."

Pakistan also posesses nuclear weapons and has fought three wars against India since the 1947 partition that led to this Islamic State's creation. But both countries have been holding peace overtures since 2004.