The locally developed Shaheen-1 (Hatf IV) missile has a range of 700 kilometres (440 miles) and was launched at the end of a training session by the army's strategic force command, a military statement said.

The Shaheen-1 series is routinely fired during training exercises by troops.

Army chief General Ashfaq Kiyani, who took over the post from President Pervez Musharraf last year, congratulated the officers and scientists "on achieving high standards of training and excellent results," the statement said.

The army chief said Pakistan had developed a strong nuclear deterrence capability but the country had no aggressive intentions against other countries.

The latest test comes with the safety of Pakistan's estimated 50 nuclear warheads under international scrutiny amid a deteriorating security situation in the country.

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