Pak tests N-capable ballistic missile

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan on Monday successfully test-fired the surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-i, which can strike targets up to 650 kilometres, bringing many Indian cities under its range.

The test took place amid Indopak tensions over New Delhi revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

The missile was fired as part of a training exercise “aimed at testing the operational readiness of the Army Strategic Forces Command,” the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate, the media wing of the Pakistan army, said in a press release.

According to ISPR, the launch was witnessed by the director general of strategic plans division, commander of army strategic forces command, chairman of National Engineering and Scientific Commission, scientists and engineers.

“Troops displayed a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating the potent weapon system, ensuring Pakistan’s credible minimum deterrence,” the ISPR stated.

The Shaheen-i is capable of delivering all types of warheads up to a range of 650 kilometres, it claimed. In August, Pakistan had successfully carried out the night training launch of another surface-to-surface ballistic missile, the Ghaznavi.

10 PEOPLE KILLED IN PUNJAB BOAT CAPSIZE

An overloaded wooden boat capsized on the Sutlej River near Okara in Punjab province, killing 10 people and leaving several others missing, a government official said.

Deputy commissioner Okara Maryam Khan told media that the boat carrying about 35 people overturned near the Malhu Sheikha area. Ten bodies, including of women and children, have so far been recovered, Khan said, adding that another 10 passengers have been saved and rescue work was still underway. Police official Mohammad Imran said the boat sank as there were too many people on board and it was made of poor quality material.