Islamabad: Pakistan on October 8 conducted its second missile test in less than a week by "successfully" test-firing the Hatf-IV medium-range, nuclear-capable missile, which has a range of 700 kms and could hit targets in India.

An official announcement in Islamabad said the Hatf-IV, also known as the Shaheen-I, was tested on October 8 morning and all its parameters were successfully validated.

Pakistan Defence Spokesman Major General Shoukat Sultan termed the missile test as a "routine" one, which was aimed at fulfilling technical requirements. The tests were part of fresh series of tests planned by Pakistan. While announcing the tests, Pakistan said it has informed the neighbours, including India, about the tests.

The medium-range missile is capable of reaching all Indian cities. Both Ghaznavi and Shaheen-1 have already been tested in the past.

This is the second missile test by Pakistan in five days. On October 3, Pakistan test fired its short-range missile Hatf-III renamed as Ghaznavi missile for the second time to verify the design parameters of its "improved" missile systems.

Besides Ghaznavi and Shaheen-1, Pakistan claims to have Shaheen-II with a range of 2,500 km, Ghauri- 1 with range of 1,500 km and Ghauri-II with 2,300 km range. In all, Pakistan is reported to have about 50 long and short-range nuclear capable missiles.

PTI