Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable Hatf IX

Pakistan today conducted a successful test fire of short-range surface-to-surface missile Hatf IX (NASR). The test fire was conducted with successive launches of two missiles from a state of the art multi tube launcher. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf have felicitated the scientists and engineers on the successful test of short-range missile Hatf-9 Nasr. NASR‚ with a range of 60 km‚ and in-flight maneuver capability can carry nuclear warheads of appropriate yield‚ with high accuracy. This quick response system‚ which can fire a four missile salvo ensures deterrence against threats in view of evolving scenarios. Additionally‚ NASR has been specially designed to defeat all known anti tactical missile defence systems. The test was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne‚ Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General (Retired) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai‚ Chairman NESCOM Muhammad Irfan Burney‚ Commander Army Strategic Forces Command Lieutenant General Triq Nadeem Gilani‚ senior officers from the armed forces and scientists and engineers of strategic organizations. Addressing the scientists‚ engineers and military officers of strategic organizations‚ Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee congratulated them on displaying a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating the state of the art weapon system. He said Pakistan's armed forces are fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan's security against all kinds of aggression.