India test-fires nuke-capable missile

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 250km 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.