India testfires nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile

India successfully testfired its surface-to-surface nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile Wednesday from a test range in eastern sate of Odisha, defense officials said.

The test was conducted by the strategic force command of Indian army as part of a user trial.

"The missile having a strike range of 350 km was fired from a mobile launcher of the integrated test range at Chandipur near Balasore at 11:37 a.m. local time," an official said. "All the objectives were successfully met during the trial."

The launch was carried out day after the successful trial of Agni-I missile conducted off Abdul Kalam Island in the state.

Prithvi-II, according to officials, has a capability of carrying 500-1,000 kg warhead.

Developed under integrated guided missile development program by India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Prithvi-II was inducted into the Indian armed forces in 2003.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)