India Test Fires Nuclear-capable Missile

India has tested the naval version of a short-range missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, a defense ministry official said Friday.

The missile was test fired Friday from a navy warship in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of eastern Orissa state, said defense ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar.

"The missile test was a success and hit the intended targets," Kar said.

The home-developed Dhanush, or Bow missile, can hit a target up to 350 kilometers away.

Friday's test was part of routine trials that defense scientists conduct to test various parameters of the missile, the official said.

India is developing a range 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. Friday's test was unlikely to aggravate tensions between India and Pakistan as both countries routinely conduct missile tests.

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 each other before carrying out long-distance missile tests.