15-04-09 India tests nuclear-capable missile:official

India Wednesday successfully tested a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a facility in eastern Orissa state, defence sources said.The test of an improved version of Prithvi-II (Earth) was carried out from Integrated Testing Range at Chandipur-on-sea,some 200 kilometres (125 miles) northeast of state capital Bhubaneswar."It was a user trial of the army version of the 150-350 kilometres range Prithvi," a defence scientist said on condition of anonymity,adding the firing was conducted at 10:20 am (0450 GMT).The 8.5-metre (28-foot) surface-to-surface missile,first tested in February 1988,can carry a one-tonne conventional or nuclear payload.South Asian rivals India and Pakistan,which have fought three wars,routinely carry out missile tests but normally notify each other in advance under an agreement