India test-fires nuclear-capable missile

NEW DELHI, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- India successfully test-fired a new version of a nuclear-capable missile Tuesday at Pokhran in Rajasthan's desert near Pakistan, defense officials reported.

The testing of the BrahMos missile in the western state comes as tensions between India and Pakistan intensify over the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which India says were led by terrorists based in Pakistan.

Defense Minister A.K. Antony, however, said in New Delhi the test was already scheduled and not directed against any country, calling the test-firing a "normal thing," the Press Trust of India reported.

The missile, with a range of about 180 miles, is being developed in collaboration with Russia and named after the Brahmputra River and Moscow.