Pakistan successfully tested HATF-VII missile

Dec 11:  In a tough competition and showing power game, Pakistan has today successfully tested a medium range surface-to-surface cruise missile HATF-VII or Babur with a range of 435 miles (700 kilometers) just within a week when India had tested Advance Air Defense (AAD) Ballistic missile on Thursday December 06.

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Pakistan military official sources has confirmed that today Pakistan has test-fired Babur missile in the presence of General Tariq Majeed, Chairman Joint Chiefs Staff Committee at unknown place in Pakistan. The military or government official has not disclosed anything about the testing center so far. However the government television channel PTV has showed some footage of missile testing.

This is the first missile test held under the Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani after taking over the command of Army Chief from Parvez Musharraf.

After concluding successful operation, President Pervez Musharraf and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro congratulated the scientists and engineers on their success as the media reported.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations, ISPR that closely controls the military news and military access services said in the statement, “it is part of a continuous process of validating the design parameters set for this weapon system."

“It has near stealth capabilities and is a low flying, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability, pin-point accuracy and radar avoidance features," statement said.

The 1.5-tonne, 22 foot long HATF-VII cruise missile with 250-kg warhead is very strong armament in Pakistani belt that can hit very far inside its neighborhood countries and can also capable to carry massive explosives. Pakistani scientists are trying to develop a nuclear warhead to be fitted in this missile, official sources releases.

The initial testing of Babur missile was held in 2005, and last test was held in March this year whereas in February it tested a nuclear-capable, long range (2000 km), surface-to-surface Hatf VI missile to strengthening its military power.

Pakistan has also included HATF-VIII in its depot and successfully primary tested in August this year. It is also known as ‘Raad’, (Arabic word means thunder) with a short range of 350km (220 miles) including capability of carrying all types of warheads.

Pakistan and India, both are in the run of developing and collecting weapons rivalry and investing huge money for developing armaments and destructive weapons. Both the nations had already fought three wars after getting freedom from Britain in 1947. However, their relationship seems to be softening since 2004 when the approach of beginning peace talk has worked as warming the relationship. But the issue of ‘ Kashmir matter’ has always been proved as an obstacle in the way of peace talk as experts believe.