.:: SAMAA - Pakistan navy test fires missiles, torpedoes

KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday successfully test fired new missiles and torpedoes from ships, submarines and aircraft in the Arabian Sea, the navy announced.

"Pakistan navy fleet today tested its fire power in the north Arabian Sea to assess lethality, precision and efficacy of its weapon system," it said.

The navy did not disclose range or technical details but said "this included successful firing of a variety of missiles and torpedoes from the ships."

The tests included anti-surface missiles from an F-22P frigate, acquired recently from China, air-to-surface missiles from P-3C aircraft and sub surface-to-surface missiles from Agosta 90B submarines that originate from France.

"While reassuring Pakistan navy's commitment of defending the motherland, this strike capability would also send a message of deterrence to anyone harbouring nefarious designs against Pakistan," the statement said.

South Asian rivals India and Pakistan -- which have fought three wars, two of them over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir -- routinely carry out missile tests since both demonstrated nuclear weapons capability in 1998.

Last month, India successfully tested a nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-III missile with a range of more than 3,000 kilometres (2,000 miles) from Wheeler Island, off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa.

Pakistan's arsenal includes short-range, medium and long-range nuclear capable missiles.

AGENCIES ADD: Pakistan's navy announced on Friday that it had successfully test-fired a series of missiles and torpedoes in what it called "a message of deterrence" to "anyone harbouring nefarious designs" against the country, an apparent reference to traditional enemy India.

The tests, which took place in the Arabian Sea, employed aircraft, submarines and ships. It was not immediately clear if the missiles were capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Video released by the Pakistani Navy showed a test missile being fired at a ship in the Arabian Sea and then shots of the ship burning. AP Television cannot guarantee the authenticity of this video material.

Both India and Pakistan regularly test their missile systems, and usually notify each other ahead of such launches in keeping with a diplomatic agreement.

Friday's launches were followed by a Pakistani navy statement saying the tests showed the navy's commitment to "defending the motherland."

It added, "this strike capability would also send a message of deterrence to anyone harbouring nefarious designs against Pakistan."

Such statements have been rare in recent years, as the two nations have struggled to keep their peace process limping along.

Late last month, India and Pakistan held their first official talks since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which India blamed on the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since they gained independence from Britain in 1947.

The two sides began talks aimed at resolving their differences over the Himalayan region of Kashmir and other disputes in 2004. India put the peace process on hold soon after the Mumbai attacks.

Indian officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the missile tests. SAMAA/ AGENCIES