ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Pakistan Friday test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile reportedly able to hit targets in India, which along with Pakistan possesses nuclear weapons.
The test firing of the Shaheen-1 or Hatf-IV missile, with a range of 435 miles from an undisclosed location, was conducted by a strategic missile group at the end of an annual field exercise by the Pakistani army's Strategic Force Command, the Press Trust of India reported.
An army announcement said the missile, already in service with the military, is "routinely fired during training exercises."
The test was witnessed by new Pakistani Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who took over when President Pervez Musharraf gave up his title upon being re-elected president.
Kayani dismissed international concerns about Pakistan's nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of Islamic militants as violence in the country intensifies.
Kayani was quoted as saying the concerns were "unrealistic and based on a lack of understanding of Pakistan's command and control mechanisms."
He said Pakistani armed forces are highly professional and well-trained to safeguard and secure nuclear assets against all categories of threat.
