Pakistan early Thursday successfully test-fired a ground launched cruise missile which can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 500 kilometers "with pinpoint accuracy," said the military in a press release.

By conducting the successful test of the Hatf VII Babur missile, Pakistan has joined a select group of countries which have the capability to design and develop cruise missiles.

Babur is designed and developed by an elite team of scientists and engineers of Pakistan's strategic organizations, said the military, adding all design parameters for the test flight were validated.
 
The cruise missile is a terrain hugging missile and it has the most advanced and modern navigation and guidance system and a high degree of maneuverability. The technology enables the missile to avoid radar detection and penetrate undetected through any hostile defensive system.

President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have congratulated the scientists and engineers involved in the Babur program on their success.

Musharraf said the successful test is a major milestone in Pakistan's quest for strengthening and consolidating its strategic capability, which is cornerstone of the country's national security.

He reiterated Pakistan's resolve to continue to meet emerging challenges and geo-strategic developments in its neighborhood. Pakistan's national security, he said, is non-negotiable.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2005)