Pakistani Military Tests Nuclear-Capable, Medium-Range Cruise Missile

Pakistan's military says it has successfully tested a medium-range cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads.

The May 31 launch of the Hatf-VIII -- also called "Ra'ad" (Thunder) -- was the fourth missile-test by Pakistan in the past month or so.

All the tests have followed the April 19 test-launch by neighboring nuclear-armed rival India of a long-range Agni V missile that New Delhi says is capable of carrying a 1-ton nuclear warhead more than 5,500 kilometers.

Pakistani military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said in connection with the May 31 launch that the "low-altitude, terrain hugging" Hatf-VIII missile can carry warheads a distance of 350 kilometers and has stealth capabilities and "pinpoint accuracy."

Based on reporting by AFP and dpa