India test fires ballistic missile capable of reaching China

BHUBANESWAR, India, April 12, 2007 (AFP) - India on Thursday test-fired a nuclear-capable medium-range ballistic missile which can reach the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai, defence sources said.

The launch of the Agni-III missile took place from Wheeler Island, 180 kilometres (110 miles) northeast of Bhubaneswar, the capital of eastern Orissa state.

It was the second test of the Agni-III, a two-stage solid fuelled missile which has a diameter of 1.8 metres (six feet) and can carry nuclear or conventional warheads.

The first test of the missile, which has a range of 4,000 kilometres (2,480 miles), ended in failure last July when it crashed into the sea without hitting a designated target.