Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pakistan and India both test nuclear-capable missiles

Munir Ahmad,Ap
Wednesday 26 March 2003 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Pakistan test-fired a short-range nuclear-capable missile today with range to hit parts of India, the Foreign Ministry said, shortly after India announced a a similar missile test.

"Pakistan has also test fired a missile today, but we informed India about it," said Aziz Ahmed Khan, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.

Khan said Pakistan was taken by surprise by New Delhi's announcement earlier today that India had fired off a Prithvi missile from the Chandipur missile testing range in Orissa state.

"They didn't tell us about it beforehand," he said.

He said Pakistan tested one of its Abdali missiles, which can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads and have a range of less than 130 miles. He would not say where the missile test was conducted, or whether it occurred before or after the Indian test.

Pakistan and India have carried out tit-for-tat missile tests several times in recent months, and have also expelled several of each other's diplomats.

The nuclear armed South Asian countries have fought three wars since they gained independence from Britain in 1947, and almost fought another one as tensions rose last year. They both rushed hundreds of thousands of troops to their common border before international mediation defused the conflict.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in