Pakistan successfully test-fires short-range missile

Pakistan successfully test-fired an indigenously developed short-range surface-to-surface multi-tube missile on Tuesday, DawnNews reported. The Hatf IX (NASR) has a range of 60 kilometres and can carry nuclear warheads with high accuracy and possesses shoot and scoot attributes. Director General of Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai said the test was a major development which would consolidate Pakistan's deterrence capability. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated the scientists working on the program over the success of the missile test. India and Pakistan which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 have routinely carried out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998. Pakistan's arsenal includes short-, medium- and long-range missiles.