Pakistan Tests Nuclear Capable, Medium Range Missile

The Pakistani military says it has successfully test-fired a medium-range, nuclear capable ballistic missile.

A statement said the Shaheen-1 (Haft IV) missile was launched from an undisclosed location during a military exercise Friday.

It said the missile has a range of about 700 kilometers.

Speaking after the test, Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Kiyani dismissed fears that the country's nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of Islamic militants. He rejected the concern as "unrealistic" and said Pakistan's armed forces are "capable of safeguarding and securing nuclear assets against all categories of threat."

Pakistan's political turmoil and a rise in Islamic militant attacks across the country have sparked international concerns about the safety of its nuclear arsenal.

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