Pakistan tests missile capable of carrying nuke

updated 1:07 a.m. ET March 3, 2007

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan on Saturday successfully test-fired a short-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, the military said, two weeks ahead of peace talks with archrival neighboring India.

The launch of the Haft-II Abdali missile, which has a range of 120 miles, was conducted from an unspecified location inside Pakistan, the military said.

The Abdali is considered capable of being fitted with a nuclear warhead.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. The two South Asian nuclear-armed nations often carry out missile tests.

India became a declared atomic power in 1974, while Pakistan carried out underground nuclear tests in 1998.

Relations between Pakistan and India have improved, however, since they began a peace process in 2004 to resolve all their issues, including Kashmir.

They will hold the fourth round of peace talks in Islamabad March 13-14.

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