Pakistan test-fires missiles in Arabian Sea

Pakistan's navy successfully test-fired a series of missiles and torpedoes Friday in what it called a message to "nefarious" forces — an apparent reference to longtime rival India, the Associated Press reported Friday.

While the two nuclear-armed neighbors have taken slow steps toward restarting peace talks, they also have a history of using weapons tests as a form of diplomatic saber-rattling, AP report said.

The Arabian Sea tests employed aircraft, submarines and ships. It was not immediately clear if the missiles were capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Both countries regularly test their missile systems, and usually notify each other ahead of such launches in keeping with a diplomatic agreement.

But Friday's launches were followed by a navy statement saying the tests showed the navy's commitment to "defending the motherland." It added: "This strike capability would also send a message of deterrence to anyone harboring nefarious designs against Pakistan."

Agencies / People's Daily Online