Pakistan tests nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Coming less than a week after India tested a long-range ballistic missile of its own, on Wednesday Pakistan successfully tested a nuclear-capable ballistic missile.

The missile, Shaheen-1A was reportedly aimed southward to the Indian Ocean and successfully covered some 4,000-4,500 kilometers. The distance covered by the test is sufficient to target any chosen location on Indian territory. The BBC reports that the day before the test, Pakistan advised neighboring countries of its plans to perform the launch, stating that this test would take place between April 24 and 29. The country warned authorities in India, Yemen and Oman to change the routes of civil air flights towards Africa over these dates. However, the actual test came just one day after the warning. Aviation authorities in India expressed regret that the warning of the test came at the "last minute", but they had nevertheless warned all transport companies immediately. This ballistic missile test comes in the wake of India's test-launch of its first long-rate Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile on April 19. Digital Journal reported on this test. India's missile has a 5,000 kilometer range which would allow the country to target any chosen area in China, neighboring Pakistan and even some parts of Europe. Pakistan and India have fought 3 wars since 1947, and both countries conduct regular missile tests, informing each other in advance of such tests. In 1998, both Pakistan and India carried out nuclear weapons tests.