India tests missile

India has successfully tested a medium-range, nuclear-capable missile after two failures, a Defence Ministry official said.

The surface-to-surface Agni-II (Fire) missile was test-fired by the Army from Wheelers Island in the eastern state of Orissa.

The missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1000kg, the official said.

India's current crop of missiles are mostly intended for confronting neighbouring archrival Pakistan, but the Agni-II, with a range of up to 12,000km, can put areas in southern China within striking distance.