(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-25 17:51

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan successfully test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile Friday at the conclusion of the army's annual field training exercises, the military said.

A statement said that the Strategic Missile Group had launch the Shaheen-1 missile from an undisclosed location. The nuclear-capable missile has a range of 700 kilometers (420 miles).

The Shaheen-1 missile is operated by the Pakistan Army's Strategic Force Command.

Friday's launch was witnessed by army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, who congratulated the troops on achieving "high standards of training and excellent results" during the exercise, the statement said.

It quoted Kayani as saying that Pakistan's armed forces were a "highly professional, motivated and well-trained force" and were "capable of safeguarding and securing nuclear assets against all categories of threat."

Pakistan became a declared nuclear power in 1998, when it conducted underground nuclear tests in response to those carried out by India. Pakistan also tested its first missile the same year.