Prithvi-1 missile.

Bhubaneshwar, India (AFP) - India on Sunday successfully tested a nuclear-capable missile fired from a mobile launcher in the eastern coastal state of Orissa, a defence ministry official said. The test of the Prithvi-1 (Earth) missile took place at the Chandipur-on-Sea test site, said the official, who declined to be named.

The missile has a range of 250 kilometres (190 miles) and can carry conventional or low-yield nuclear warheads.

Nuclear-capable India and Pakistan, who have fought three wars, routinely carry out missile tests and normally notify each other in advance under an agreement.

The 8.5-metre (28-foot) surface-to-surface missile, first tested in February 1988, is under trials before its induction into the army's arsenal, other defence officials said. The missile was last tested last year.

It is designed for battlefield use against troops or armoured formations. Two other variants of the Prithvi, with a strike range of between 250 and 350 kilometres, will be handed over to the navy and air force once tests are completed.

Source: Agence France-Presse