Crossfire War - India Test Fires Medium Range Nuclear Missile

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By Willard Payne

Crossfire War - TEHRAN WATCH - South Asia Theatre: New Delhi/Tehran; India Test Fires First Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile - Medium Range Agni - III - 2,500 Miles - Target Iran

Night Watch: NEW DELHI - A source in India's Defence Research and Devlopment Organization (DRDO) described the test of the medium range Agni-III "successful". It was launched from Wheeler island in the Bay of Bengal 120 miles (180 km) northeast of Bhubaneshawar in the eastern province of Orissa. Splashdown was also in the Bay of Bengal. This is India's first ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. [ALJAZEERA]

Most international affairs analysts assume that with the missile's range of 2,500 miles (4,000 km) that China is the intended target. China is a historical rival that attacked India in October 1962 and has long been a weapons - technology supplier to India's enemy Pakistan. But with Iran being such an obvious supporter of Pakistan's foreign policy concerning Kashmir and with the two nations in serious cooperation militarily it will be Iran which India will have to target instead.

The Agni (Fire) is one of five missiles India is developing: Prithvi, surface-to-air Trishul (Trident), multi-purpose Akush (Sky), anti-tank Nag (Cobra).

Night Watch Information Service
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