Rawalpindi, Feb 1, IRNA ,Pakistan on Friday conducted a successful training launch of Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), the army said.
The Ghauri (Hatf V) ballistic missile has a range of 1300 kilometers, a statement from the army’s Inter-Services Public Relations said.
“A Strategic Missile Group (SMG) of Pakistan Army’s Strategic Force Command (ASFC) conducted a successful training launch of Ghauri (Hatf V) Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM),” the statement said.
The launch was conducted at the conclusion of annual field training exercises of a Ghauri Missile Group, it said.
ASFC is currently engaged in its winter collective training, wherein, every operationalized SMG is practiced in tactical and live firing exercises.
Pervez Musharraf, Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, senior military officers and scientists, the statement said.
Addressing the troops in the exercise area, the President congratulated them on achieving high standards of training and excellent results.
He said that the nation has developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability and expects that officers and men entrusted with the task of deterring aggression would continue to train hard and maintain professional excellence.
“Pakistan Armed Forces are a highly professional, motivated and well trained force and are capable of safeguarding Pakistan’s security against all types of threat”.
The President said that he is extremely pleased to see ASFC emerge as a well trained and cohesive force in a very short span of time.
“All needs for the strategic capability as per Pakistan’s minimum deterrence requirements will be met by the nation,” he added.
“We have taken note of various imaginary scenarios being propounded by those who do not wish Pakistan well. Such elements have never reconciled to a nuclear Pakistan”.
He said that Pakistan is capable of thwarting all threats to its sovereignty and to the nuclear capability.
He advised caution to such elements.