Pakistan tests surface-to-surface ballistic missile

Pakistan has conducted a “successful” training launch of the Ghaznavi, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of carrying conventional and nuclear warheads up to a range of 290 kilometer on Jan 23, 2020. (File photo by ISPR)

• Ghaznavi is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads
• Troops commended for handling the potent weapon system — says ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday conducted a “successful” training launch of the Ghaznavi, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile that is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads up to a range of 290 kilometers, according to a statement released by the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“The training launch was part of Field Training Exercise of Army Strategic Forces Command aimed at rehearsing operational readiness procedures during day and night,” the statement said.

Strategic Plans Division Force (SPD) director general Lt. Gen. Nadeem Zaki Manj and other senior officials, including scientists and engineers, oversaw the launch on Thursday.

Gen. Manj appreciated the operational preparedness of the Army Strategic Forces Command and “expressed full confidence in the robust Strategic Command and Control System and the capability of Strategic Forces,” the statement read.