Tests conducted on nuclear missile

 New Delhi, India (AP):

India successfully tested a short-range version of its most powerful nuclear-capable missile yesterday during an army training exercise, the Defence Ministry said.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan regularly test missiles, and in some cases give each other advance notice. Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said Pakistan was informed ahead of yesterday's test as part of "standard practice".

The upgraded Agni-I, with a 435-mile (700-kilometre) range, was fired from a testing range on an island off the eastern state of Orissa, Kar said. "The missile followed the trajectory perfectly and reached the designated spot in the Bay of Bengal," where ships witnessed its detonation, Kar said.

The 12-ton missile, developed in India, has an advanced navigation system and can carry payloads of up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms). It has been tested several times in the past, including on March 28 at the same Orissa firing range, as part of ongoing army training to improve skills among defence personnel.