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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday conducted a successful test-fire of Short Range Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile Hatf III (Ghazanavi) which can carry nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 290 kilometres.
The successful launch concluded the ongoing field training exercise of strategic missile group of army strategic forces command.
The training launch was witnessed by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mehmood, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command Lieutenant General Obaid Ullah Khan, Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (Nescom) Mr Muhammad Irfan Burney and other senior military officials and scientists.
Addressing the troops in the exercise area, Gen Mahmood commended them on their technical and operational excellence in operating the state-of-the-art weapon system.
He also expressed his satisfaction over the training goals achieved during the exercise and expressed the hope that officers and men entrusted with the task of deterring aggression would continue to maintain professional excellence.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Gen Mahmood congratulated all the scientists and engineers for the successful launch of Ghaznavi Missile as another milestone which would strengthen the defence potential of Pakistan besides assuring peace in the region.
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Comments (34) Closed
Apr 22, 2014 12:22pm
Great news for Pakistan, Congratulations. Missile test is response to regional nuclear developments.
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Apr 22, 2014 12:32pm
@Wijdan:
I hope the TTP does not get hold of this missile.
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Apr 22, 2014 12:35pm
What is the point of this missile, millions are starving in the country, millitants are killing thousands every year, will this missile solve Pakistan's problems.
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Apr 22, 2014 12:39pm
Congrats to all!
But be consistent in all arm forces because since democracy from last 6.5 years there wasn't any big numbers of experiments or fine development for Army, Navy and AirForce.
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Apr 22, 2014 12:40pm
No doubt the average Pakistani will be very happy to hear that their Army is keeping them safe from the agressors by building a missile, but the reality is somewhat miles from the truth. This is just a missile, it does not solve anything at all, it will not stop the millitancy, it will not feed the starving nor will it stop the TTP. I wish the Army concentrated on eliminating the TTP who have killed thousands of soldiers and civilians. Unfortunately the average Pakistani is not educated enough to under the facts or the reality.
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Apr 22, 2014 12:42pm
How much did this missile cost to develop?
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Apr 22, 2014 12:45pm
Waste of time and peoples money if they are not used against the terrorists.
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Apr 22, 2014 12:52pm
These tests must continue for extended and reliable deterrence capabilities against the emerging geo-political realities in the region.
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Apr 22, 2014 01:08pm
What's the point when there is so much chaos and turmoil in the country.
A non-entity in terms of value but perhaps an achievement of other sort.
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Apr 22, 2014 01:39pm
Great going Pak. Army....we are with you
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Apr 22, 2014 01:41pm
@Wijdan:
very right we need to develop a robust defense in order to stop external aggressions. Whatever it costs, no issues but to live with dignity and pride is more Important. Congratulations Pakistan.
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Apr 22, 2014 01:43pm
Good news.
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Apr 22, 2014 02:02pm
A strong deterrent is the need of time. Pakistan at a very crucial time has successfully tested the missile and proved its worth to be applauded for its achievement. Critiques of the test must not forget that these missiles cannot be get hold of by terrorists because of the country's strong and robust command and control structure.
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Apr 22, 2014 02:25pm
Pakistan don't have missiles like India. They have super sonic, hyper sonic and even ICBM's.
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Apr 22, 2014 02:46pm
@Kareemullah, Lahore:
I totally agree with you, money would have been better spent on eradicating millitancy which has killed thousands including soldiers. This is just a gimmick.
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Apr 22, 2014 03:01pm
Great news well done,Pakistan zindabad..
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Apr 22, 2014 03:09pm
@kashif: The development of these missiles is not done by Pakistan Army. Kindly give the credit where the Credit is due. NDC and Nescom are mainly responsible for the development of these missile systems. These are civilian organizations and despite they are not offered Any DHA Plots at all still they work day and night to make our Defenses strong and great.
In the end Pakistan Army took all the credit and as usual Civilians never count at all. You got selected in Pak Army apart from Engineering Core after FSC and Our Main Officers have nothing to do with Science and Technology since they never studied it at higher level at all. .
All Hail to the Dedicated Engineers and Scientists who are working day and night and they never want to get the credit and one Organization is getting their credit but still they are working with full dedication.
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Apr 22, 2014 03:26pm
@Hasnain Haque:
Boy ! it seems you do not know the value of living with dignity. Agreed that people are facing trouble, but it does not mean that we do not pay attention to our freedom and liberty. Our problems are NOT going to be solved if we do not make defence weapons. Solution of our problem lies somewhere else.
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Apr 22, 2014 05:32pm
Don`t have food but...
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Apr 22, 2014 05:44pm
@Muhammad Ashraf:
Dear Mr Ashraf, I do know the value of living with dignity and the reason being that I dont live in Pakistan. If living with dignity means that you kill your brothers everyday, rob the poor, eat haram and cannot be free to speak than I am happy not to be living with dignity.
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Apr 22, 2014 05:46pm
@Adina :
Mr Adina, where was Pakistan Army when USA helicopeters entered Pakistan for over an hour and raided Osama Bin Laden's house right next to the best Pakistan Army base?
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Apr 22, 2014 05:53pm
Couldn't they have picked a less loathsome character to name their missile after? Ghaznavi is equally abhorred in both Pakistan and India.
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Apr 22, 2014 06:18pm
@Arjmand:
There is no dignity in poverty when you have to beg for everything. The fact is that Pakistan now faces existential threat from within, not so much from outside. The outside powers look at it as a moth infested county and a failed state, which no one wants. Keep in mind all the military might of USSR could not keep it from disintegrating; same is true for Pakistan. If you don't have a world class educated work force, a properly functioning civil society, law and order, basic human rights, and access to healthcare, then all the military might is of no use.
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Apr 22, 2014 06:34pm
@Hasnain Haque:
Its very easy to say know that why we are spending millions on weapons because we all know we have reached a deterrence level, ALLHAMD o LILLAH. Think about the situation if you dont have atomic bomb, no GHAURI, no SHAHEEN and no HATF. If I apply your rule then you should not spending any time and money using internet instead donate this and feed atleast one hungry person around you.
Pak ARMY ZINDABAD, PAKISTAN PAINDABAD
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Apr 22, 2014 07:03pm
Stupidity at supersonic speed. 60% children of this country are already stunted, do you know that? Do something about them instead of blowing up your resources on the development of weapons of self destruction.
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Apr 22, 2014 07:15pm
Shouldn't Pakistan name its missiles after native sons, like Ziaulhaq or Zulfiqar. Ghaznavi ruled from Ghazni, Afghanistan.
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Apr 22, 2014 07:16pm
Thank you, China. Great job, Pakistan!
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Apr 22, 2014 07:19pm
Your self created enemies are very happy.
Please spend more and more on so called defence.
These weapons are like white elephants round your neck.
As foolish as trying to build muscles while the body is sick with cancer.
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Apr 22, 2014 07:25pm
Missiles are not a solution to Pakistan's problems. We need a patriotic leadership that understands what ails the country. Terrorism, Poverty & Corruption are the real threats facing us. We cannot shoot them down with missiles. Please stop fooling the poor people and start dealing with real issues. Time has all but run out for us. God bless the poor people of our country & provide them with courageous leaders to make the tough decisions necessary.
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Apr 22, 2014 08:00pm
So its OK to use missile technology invented and developed by western countries. Where do they shoot the missile and where does it land while testing?
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Apr 22, 2014 08:56pm
Hatf III again??? Is there no other missile in our inventory?? Like the one that can take us to the moon?
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Apr 22, 2014 10:36pm
Please change the picture at least ....its the same as the one you carried in the previous story
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Apr 23, 2014 01:26am
BRAVO! Congratulations on your success! Now let us do some math. How many tests has been conducted? How much money is spent? How much has it adversely affected the environment (poisonous gases and chemicals)?
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Apr 23, 2014 12:43pm
@Awan:
*Pakistan Army took all the credit and as usual Civilians never count at all.*
It is critical that this status be maintained. The real workers, researchers, innovators have to be protected. Hands on scientists are always kept under wraps, by all countries doing cutting edge work. Kept anonymous. Not exposed as potential targets for 'kidnap or kill' by 'friend' or foe. What you can't see you can't eliminate.
Pak rocket and nuclear scientists are cutting edge. And they have the rest of the World on edge with their innovative expertize. They count. Very much so. Their work is its own reward...and they know it. We owe them much. Their work product is keeping us safe, our enemy at bay...not so much the military.
Realize what happened to the top scientist in the nuclear field...even though he was little more than a figure head, though a driving force no doubt. The powers that be went after him. Recall what is being done to Iranian Nuclear Scientists: Assassinations one after another.
The military is immune in this respect...let them take the credit. Let them be the target. They are hard target. A target that can shoot back with deadly force...so that you can sleep safe and protected.
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