Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable missile

The test was meant to validate the design parameters set for the Babur Hatf VII missile, a separate military statement said.

Pakistan successfully tested on Thursday a cruise missile capable of carrying a variety of warheads, including nuclear, the military said.

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The Babur Hatf VII missile has a range of 700 km. It was last tested in March. "It was a successful test," a military official said on condition of anonymity.

The test was meant to validate the design parameters set for the missile, a separate military statement said.

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz greeted scientists on the test firing and "assured complete support in the development plans of all strategic projects," the statement said. The Babur Hatf VII is a terrain-hugging, radar avoiding cruise missile.

The missile was first tested in 2005. Since, then its range has been enhanced to 700 km, from 500 km previously.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan and India routinely carry out missile tests despite a peace process they launched in early 2004, and both have agreed to inform each other of such tests in advance. The two South Asian neighbours carried out tit-for-tat nuclear weapons tests in 1998.