Islamabad: Pakistan on October 3, successfully test-fired a short-range nuclear capable, surface-to- surface ballistic missile Htaff-3, renamed Ghaznavi, as part of series of planned tests to check the parameters of the missile.

Htaff-3, a short-range missile which can carry nuclear or conventional war head upto around 290 km in 60 to 70 seconds has been tested for the second time in recent months, an official announcement said in Islamabad.

The test was conducted at 09:12 Hrs (IST). The location has not been revealed.

The data collected after the test has indicated that all the parameters have been successfully validated, the announcement said.

While it was still not clear why Pakistan chose to test the missile, specially when its Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was touring US, an official statement said that timing of the tests reflects Pakistan's determinational not to engage in a tit-for-tat syndrome to other tests in the region.

It said "Pakistan will maintain the pace of its own missile development programme and conduct tests as per its technical needs."

Prior notification of this test had been given to India and other neighbouring countries.

It was now apparently clear that yesterday's proposed visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca has been out off to October 4 due to planned tests by Pakistan.

The official announcement claimed that the missile was "indigenously" developed and bore testimony to the professional excellence of Pakistani scientists and engineers.

President Pervez Musharraf and Jamali congratulated the scientists for the "outstanding success", it said.

Reports said the tests were reportedly aimed at enhancing the storage life of the missile for another ten years.

Pakistan has tested Ghaznavi and medium-range Shaheen-II missile in May 2002 and conducted a series of missile tests in 2002 in which it successfully tested short-range and medium-range missiles.

The Ghaznavi missile with solid fuel technology system was a guided missile and capable of destroying the marine instalments and warships. The improvement test of Ghaznavi, will further consolidate the defence strength of Pakistan, officials said.

Pakistan had started testing of different missile since April 1999 and after a pause of three years it conducted a series of missile tests in May 2002.

While Pakistan claims that its missile technology was indigenous, President Musharraf in his recent tour of Canada had admitted that Pakistan has obtained missile technology from North Korea.

PTI