By IPS Correspondents
NEW DELHI, Mar 26 2003 (IPS)

India test fired a nuclear capable surface-to-surface missile Wednesday from its testing ranges in eastern India, a news agency said.

The country’s most sophisticated Prithvi missile was successfully tested from the Chandipur missile testing range in Orissa state, the Press Trust of India said, quoting Defense Ministry officials.

The short-range missile, developed by Indian missile scientists, had a perfect lift-off at its launch at 11:30 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), PTI said.

The officials described the test as routine, one of scores carried out by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization to perfect the capability of the missile to carry a nuclear warhead.

The Chandipur missile testing range is located 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) southeast of New Delhi.

India’s missile arsenal includes the Trishul, a surface-to-air missile which targets aircraft and can counter sea-skimming missiles; the intermediate-range Agni, which can reach 2,415 kilometers (1,500 miles); the short-range ballistic missile Prithvi with a range of 153 kilometers (95 miles); and the anti-tank Nag missile.

India conducted five nuclear tests in 1998, causing international consternation and provoking economic sanctions by the United States and other Western nations. India’s tests were followed by nuclear tests by Pakistan.

Excerpt: