RAWALPINDI: Pakistan successfully test-fired an indigenously developed short-range surface-to-surface multi-tube missile on Tuesday, DawnNews reported.

The Hatf IX (NASR) has a range of 60 kilometres and can carry nuclear warheads with high accuracy and possesses shoot and scoot attributes.

The test was witnessed by Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R), Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) Irfan Burney, Commander of Army’s Strategic Force Command Lieutenant General Tariq Nadeem Gilani, senior officers from the strategic forces and scientists and engineers working for strategic organisations.

Lieutenant General Kidwai said the test was a major development which would consolidate Pakistan’s deterrence capability.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani congratulated the scientists working on the program over the success of the missile test.

India and Pakistan — which have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 — have routinely carried out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.

Pakistan’s arsenal includes short-, medium- and long-range missiles.

The neighbours were on the brink of nuclear conflict in 2002 over the disputed territory of Kashmir, but a slow-moving peace dialogue resumed last March after a three-year suspension following the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.