The successful training launch of the Ghauri or Hatf-V intermediate range ballistic missile was witnessed by Musharraf and Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at an undisclosed location.

The launch was conducted at the conclusion of an annual field training exercise of a Strategic Missile Group of the Army Strategic Force Command (ASFC), a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said. The ASFC is currently engaged in its winter collective training, wherein every operationalised strategic missile is tested in “tactical and live firing exercises”.

The test of the Ghauri came a week after a similar training launch of the Shaheen-I ballistic missile, which has a range of 700 km. The political turmoil in Pakistan and an upsurge in terrorist attacks have sparked reports in the western media about the safety of the country’s nuclear arsenal and the effectiveness of its command and control system.

Media reports have also suggested that the US is considering contingency plans to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal in the event of any extremist takeover. Musharraf said: “We have taken note of various imaginary scenarios being propounded by those who do not wish Pakistan well. Such elements have never reconciled to a nuclear Pakistan. “Pakistan is capable of thwarting all threats to its sovereignty and to the nuclear capability,” Musharraf said, advising “caution to such elements.”

The armed forces are a “highly professional, motivated and well trained force and are capable of safeguarding Pakistan’s security against all types of threat”, he said.

During a recent visit to Europe, Musharraf said militants could gain access to Pakistan’s atomic weapons only if al Qaeda or the Taliban “defeated the Pakistani army” or if radical groups won the upcoming general election.
“There is a zero percent chance of either one of them,” he said.