Islamabad: Pakistan on October 8 successfully test-fired a medium-range nuclear- capable ballistic missile, its second test within five days, Pakistan Defence Ministry officials said.

"This test was in continuation of the one conducted on October 4, 2002 to validate certain additional parameters," a Defence Ministry statement said.

"These parameters stand completely validated in the light of data collected from the test."

The Shaheen missile has a range of up to 800 kms.

The test comes a day ahead of the crucial general elections in Pakistan. The country goes to polls on October 9 to elect the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies.

Commenting on the missile tests, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan denied allegations that the new series of tests by Pakistan would increase missile race in the region.

He said that tests were aimed at perfecting the technical parameters of the missiles.

Diplomatic sources here said that Pakistan had informed the Indian High Commission officials on October 3 that it planned to conduct a series of missile tests.

A day later on October 4 it test fired Hatf-4 which resembled M-9 Chinese missiles, even though officials claimed that it was an "indigenously" developed missile. The missile is capable of carrying conventional chemical or nuclear weapons.

Pakistan has an array of short, medium and long range missiles which were considered to be the "carbon copy" versions of the North Korean 'Nongdong' as well as Chinese M series missiles.