ISLAMABAD, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Thursday conducted a successful launch of the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Hataf-5 (Ghouri), the military said.

Pakistan successfully test-fires an intermediate range, nuclear-capable Hatf 5 (Ghauri) ballistic missile on Nov 16, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz (R) shakes hands with soldiers during the launch of nuclear-capable ballistic missile Hatf 5 (Gauri) at an undisclosed location November 16, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

Pakistan's soldiers pose for a group photo with nuclear-capable ballistic missile Hatf 5 (Gauri) at an undisclosed location November 16, 2006.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    The Ghouri Missile has a range of 1,300 km, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

    The launch was carried out by the troops of the Army Strategic Forces Command (ASFC) at the culmination phase of a training exercise held to test the operational readiness of a Strategic Missile Group (SMG) equipped with Ghouri Missiles, it said.

    "Today's launch exercise was witnessed by the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ahsan SaleemHyat besides a large number of senior military officers, scientists and engineers of the strategic organizations," the statement said.

    The prime minister congratulated the officers and other ranks of the ASFC on the high standards achieved during training which was reflected in the successful launch and the accuracy of the missile in reaching the target.

    He said Pakistan believed in peace that comes from a position of strength and operational readiness. The defense of the country was non-negotiable.

    The National Command Authority and the Strategic Plans Division, which oversaw Pakistan's Strategic Program, were fully alive to the regional security situation and had developed adequate response options to meet any contingency, he said.