Pakistan on Thursday conducted a successful training launch of Short Range Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile Hatf III (Ghaznavi), capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads up to a range of 290 kilometers, said an official press release.

A press release from the public relations wing of the Pakistani military, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that the successful launch was the culminating point of the Field Training Exercise of Army Strategic Forces Command which was aimed at testing the operational readiness of a Strategic Missile Group besides up gradation of various capabilities of Weapon Systems.

The launch was witnessed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif and many other senior military officials and scientists. On the occasion COAS appreciated the troops on displaying a very high standard of proficiency in handling and operating these strategic weapon systems, said the release.

The Army Chief said: “Pakistan has configured one of the best command and control systems and Armed Forces of Pakistan are fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan's security against any aggression." He showed his confidence over the professional attributes of troops and emphasized to maintain the high standards achieved,” the release added.

President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also congratulated the participating troops, scientists and engineers on the successful launch.