Pakistan tests 'nuclear' missile

Officials said the test was conducted to 'check technical parameters'

Pakistan has successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable missile with a range of 1,300km (800 miles), the military says.

The test-firing of the Hatf V (Ghauri) missile was conducted to "check technical parameters," a military spokesman told the AFP news agency.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz watched the launch, at an undisclosed location.

The test came a day after India and Pakistan announced they would prepare a deal to limit the risk of an inadvertent nuclear conflict.

"Pakistan can be justifiably proud of its defence capability and the reliability of its nuclear deterrence," Mr Aziz was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.

"Pakistan believes in peace that comes from a position of strength and operational readiness."

Tension between Pakistan and India - also a nuclear power - has decreased in recent months.

The two sides met in the Indian capital, Delhi, this week for peace talks, the first between the South Asian neighbours since July's train bombings in Mumbai (Bombay).

The two countries have decided to sign a deal limiting the risk of an inadvertent nuclear conflict.

The two powers stepped back from the brink of war after India blamed Pakistan for involvement in an armed attack on the federal parliament in Delhi in 2001.