Islamabad - Pakistan test-fired Babur cruise missile from an unknown location, just in six months. It is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and can hit targets within a 500-km range.

President Pervez Musharraf viewed the missile launch. It was officially declared as successful. The missile was reportedly launched from a land based transporter erector launcher (TEL).

The official reaction of the Army Inter Services Public Relations is:

"All phases of the planned trajectory were extremely successful and the missile impacted with pinpoint accuracy."  He further said, "Babur cruise missile was tested in the ground launched version and it is capable of being placed in submarines and on surface ships."

"The missile, which has near stealth capabilities, is a low flying, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability, pin point accuracy and radar avoidance features. With a range of 500 kms, it can carry all types of warheads and brings many Indian cities into its range," it said.

As per report from KJM Verma, NewKerala.com, it states that Pakistan had informed India about its plans to test-fire Babur as the agreement over prior notification of missile tests between the two counties includes only ballistic missiles and not cruise missile.

Congratulating scientists and engineers for the successful test firing of the missile, Musharraf said the government would continue to support their endeavors in fortifying national defence. "The strategic program, which had come to symbolize the nation's resolve for its security, will continue to go from strength to strength with credible minimum deterrence as the cornerstone," he said.

Pakistan had test fired the Babur missile in August last year and claimed it was a direct match to Brahmos 280 km range supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia."

It is felt that it is the reaction against Bush's visit to India for having made an agreement with PM Manmohan Singh on India's Civil Nuke stations.