India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable missile
Pastor Dale Morgan
India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable missile*
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 7, 2008; 3:42 AM
CALCUTTA, India -- India successfully test-fired Wednesday a
nuclear-capable missile that can hit targets from Beijing to Baghdad,
the Defense Ministry said.
It was the third test of the Agni III missile. The first attempt failed
two years ago, but last year's was a success. Wednesday's repeat
performance reaffirmed India's place in "the select band of countries
who have such surface-to-surface intermediate range ballistic missile
capability as a deterrent," said Indian air force Group Capt. R.K. Das,
a spokesman for the Defense Ministry.
India's current arsenal of missiles is largely intended for confronting
archrival Pakistan. The Agni III, in contrast, is India's longest-range
missile, designed to reach 1,900 miles _ putting China's major cities
well into range, as well as targets deep in the Middle East.
The missile was launched from Wheeler Island off the eastern state of
Orissa on Wednesday morning. It is believed capable of carrying up to a
300-kiloton nuclear warhead.
India and Pakistan usually notify each other ahead of such missile
launches, in keeping with an agreement between the two nations. India
and Pakistan have fought three wars since they gained independence from
Britain in 1947.