"Fired at around 9:30am from Tilla, near Jhelum, the Ghauri missile accurately hit its target in the Arabian Sea beyond the Somiani coast," sources said, adding the test-flight of Shaheen-III was expected today (Sunday).

The short-range indigenously built ballistic missile Haider-I is likely to be test-fired tomorrow (Monday). The engine motor of Haider-I has already been successfully tested. Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) Gen Muhammad Yousaf Khan, senior military officials and scientists involved with the missile programme were present at the missile launch site when Ghauri-III was test-fired on Saturday. The Ghauri and Shaheen series of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles are capable of carrying nuclear and multiple warheads. The current test-fires were to guage the accuracy and capability of the advanced versions of Ghauri-II and Shaheen-II.

"This was the third test of the Ghauri missile system. According to the data collected from the test, all design parameters have been successfully validated. The Ghauri SSM can carry its warheads with great accuracy," Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said. The ISPR said the successful test-flight had reconfirmed the technical excellence of Pakistan's indigenous missile technology.

"The series of tests are a part of the research and development of Pakistan's indigenous missile programme, which is an essential element of Pakistan's policy of maintaining minimum deterrence in the interest of our security," the ISPR said, adding it demonstrated Pakistan's determination to defend itself, strengthen national security and consolidate strategic balance in the region.

Pakistan had not tested a major missile system since April 1999, and had demonstrated restraint over the past three years, it said. "Our policy will continue to be governed by restraint and responsibility and such tests will only be conducted when technically needed," the ISPR said.

Chronology: Pakistan had carried out its first missile test in 1998 with the successful launch of Gahuri, while India had begun its missile development programme in 1983. India had tested the nuclear-capable Agni-II with a range of 2,500km, forcing Pakistan to test Ghauri-II missile with a range of 1,500km, and Shaheen missile with a range of 800km. In February 2000, Pakistan had test-fired short-range Hataf-I surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a reach of 100km. On January 25, 2002, India had test-fired intermediate Agni-I missile with a range of 700km. In April 2002, India had again tested a supersonic cruise missile, Brahmos. It has a range of 300km and a capacity to carry a 200kg payload.