NEW DELHI, India – India successfully tested a short-range version of its most powerful nuclear-capable missile Sunday, the defense ministry said in a news release.
The Agni-I missile, which can travel up to 435 miles, was test-fired over the Bay of Bengal from Wheeler's Island off India's east coast in the morning, the statement said. The Agni-1 can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.
"The missile had a textbook performance in terms of range, accuracy and lethality," the ministry said.
This missile has been tested several times in the past.
India and it neighboring longtime rival, Pakistan -- which also has nuclear weapons -- routinely test-fire missiles. Both nations usually notify each before conducting such tests. It was not immediately clear evening if Pakistan was notified this time.
No immediate response from Pakistan was available Sunday evening.
The two countries have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.
India has a variety of missiles including the short-range Prithvi ballistic missile, the medium-range Akash, and the supersonic Brahmos. The Agni missiles are the most powerful.
India last year successfully test-fired the Agni-III, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads across much of Asia and the Middle East.
New Delhi says it developed its missile program as a deterrent against neighbors China and Pakistan.
The defense ministry's release called Sunday's test "yet another milestone in the preparedness of the country in the area of strategic defense."
No ministry official was available to give any additional details Sunday.
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