Pakistan test-fires second missile, last for now
( 2002-10-08 15:28 ) (7 )

Pakistan, locked in a military stand-off with India, successfully test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile on Tuesday, concluding a series of two tests in less than a week, state media reported.

The second test came two days before parliamentary elections in Pakistan and on the day India held the last phase of a disputed state poll in Kashmir (news - web sites), the Himalayan region that was the trigger for two of the three wars the two nations have fought.

Last Friday Pakistan said it had successfully test-fired a medium-range Hatf-IV (Shaheen-1) surface-to-surface missile. Hours later India test-fired a short-range surface-to-air missile of its own.

Tuesday's Pakistani test involved the same type of missile as the first, state media said.

"It is a continuation of the test that was carried out on October 4, to validate certain additional parameters," Pakistan Television news reported. "These parameters stand completely validated in the light of the data collected from the test."

"The test concludes for now the series of planned tests," PTV added.

Jane's Defense Weekly says the Shaheen-1 has a range of around 700 km (430 miles).

The United States criticized both countries for last week's tests, saying they could encourage a nuclear missile and arms race in the region.

Border tensions remain high between the two countries, which almost came to war in June over disputed Kashmir.