Pakistan tried long-range missiles

A long-range ballistic missile that could carry a nuclear warhead was successfully shot by Islamabad yesterday.

The Shaheen-2 rocket was launched from a secret location, with a range of 1,245 miles (about 1,900 km). Pakistani military officials say missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads as well as conventional warheads.

Yesterday's test took place in the witness of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, who praised scientists and engineers "for taking an important step in ensuring strategic balance in South Asia." ". Gilani added that the defense requirement was "a high priority" for his newly elected government.

This is the first missile test since the new government with the majority of the party is part of the assassinated former premier Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistan claimed to become a nuclear weapons country in 1998, after a nuclear test, retaliated against its neighboring Indian actions the same year. Since then, the two countries have regularly conducted missile tests.

Missile in the test yesterday.(Photo: AP / HO)