India test nuclear-capable missile

Monday, November 23, 2009 at 10:01 pm under World Breaking news

India test nuclear-capable missile, BHUBANESWAR: India carried out its first nighttime test of a medium-range missile on Monday, a defense ministry official said.

The surface-to-surface ‘Agni-II’ (Fire) missile — with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers — can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, the official said on condition of anonymity in line with ministry rules.

The missile was fired from Wheelers Island in the eastern state of Orissa, the official said. India’s previous missile tests have been done during the day.

Monday’s test is unlikely to aggravate tensions between India and Pakistan as they routinely test-fire missiles. Both usually notify each other ahead of the launches, however, it was not immediately known whether New Delhi informed Islamabad about Monday’s test.