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Sunday, December 13, 2009

India test fires short-range Dhanush missile - By Ap

NEW DELHI (AP) — India successfully test fired a short-range missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads on Sunday, a defense official said.

The test was carried out from a naval warship in the Bay of Bengal, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) offshore in the eastern state of Orissa, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

Previous tests of the Dhanush missile were launched in 2002 and 2007. It can hit a target up 220 miles (350 kilometers) away, the official said.

India is developing a variety of missiles to strengthen its defense capability, including the short-range Prithvi ballistic missile, the medium-range Agni and Akash missiles, the anti-tank Nag, and the supersonic Brahmos missile, developed jointly with Russia.

India's missiles are mostly intended for any confrontation with neighboring archrival Pakistan. Sunday's test was unlikely to aggravate tensions between India and Pakistan as they both routinely test fire missiles.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947, two over control of the Himalayan region of Kashmir.

The countries normally inform the other before carrying out long-distance missile tests.

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