India tests nuclear capable ballistic missile

The surface-to-surface intermediate range Agni-II, with a maximum strike range of 2,500 kilometres (1,560 miles), was fired from a mobile launcher on Wheeler Island off eastern Orissa state, the official said.

It was India's third test of the Agni-II. The missile was first tested on April 11, 1999 and again on January 17, 2001.

The latest test comes a week ahead of peace talks in New Delhi between the foreign ministers of nuclear-capable India and Pakistan aimed at endings decades of hostility over the di{puted Himalayan region of Kashmir.

In June 19-20 official-level talks in the Indian capital, both sides agreed to set up a hotline to prevent nuclear confrontation, to continue a ban on nuclear tests and to conclude an agreement on informing each other in advance about impending missile tests.

The missile tested Sunday powered by solid fuel is capable on carrying 1,000-kilogramme (2,200-pound) nuclear or conventional warhead, the official said.

Developed by India's Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), the 20-metre (65-foot) missile weighs 16 tonnes. It can be fired from rail- and road-based missile launchers.

It is armed with sophisticated technologies in control and guidance, re-entry, multi-staging and communica|ion.

India's Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and senior officials of his ministry and scientists were present at the launch, the official said.

The Agni (Fire) is one of five missiles developed by the DRDO under its Integrated G}ided Missile Development Programme launched in 1983.

The other four missiles are the short-range surface-to-surface Prithvi (Earth) missile, the surface-to-air Trishul (Trident) and Akash (Sky), and the anti-tank Nao (Serpent).

India and Pakistan held nuclear tests two weeks apart in 1998 and have since come close to war twice in their dispute over Kashmir.