India Tests Nuclear Capable Missile

AP
Mar 23, 2008

NEW DELHI (AP) — India successfully tested a short-range version of its most powerful nuclear-capable missile Sunday, the defense ministry said. The Agni-I missile, which can travel up to 435 miles, was test-fired over the Bay of Bengal from Wheeler's Island off India's east coast in the morning, a ministry statement said. The Agni-1 can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. "The missile had a textbook performance in terms of range, accuracy and lethality," it said. This missile has been tested several times in the past. India and neighboring longtime rival Pakistan — which also has nuclear weapons — routinely test-fire missiles. The two countries have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both nations usually notify each other before conducting such tests. It was not immediately clear if Pakistan was notified this time.