ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Thursday successfully conducted a training launch of short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf III (Ghaznavi), capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads up to a range of 290 kilometres.
According to the statement released by ISPR, the successful launch was the culminating point of the Field Training Exercise of Army Strategic Forces Command which was aimed at testing the operational readiness of a Strategic Missile Group besides up-gradation of various weapon systems.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and Lt General Zubair Mehmood Hayyat witnessed the demonstration.
Monitoring Desk adds:
According to a private TV channel, the Chief of Army Staff while addressing the soldiers appreciated them on displaying a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating strategic weapon systems.
He expressed his confidence over the professionalism of the soldiers and urged them to maintain the high standards. “Pakistan has configured one of the best command and control systems, and the armed forces are fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan’s security against any aggression,” remarked the army chief.