India on Wednesday successfully tested a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a facility in eastern Orissa state, defence sources said.
The test of an improved version of Prithvi-II (Earth) was carried out from Integrated Testing Range at Chandipur-on-sea, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of state capital Bhubaneswar. "It was a user trial of the army version of the 150-350 kilometres range Prithvi," a defence scientist said on condition of anonymity, adding the firing was conducted at 10:20 am (0450 GMT).
The 8.5-metre (28-foot) surface-to-surface missile, first tested in February 1988, can carry a one-tonne conventional or nuclear payload.
India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars, routinely carry out missile tests, but normally notify each other in advance under an agreement.