India successfully test-fires Dhanush missile

The missile was fired from a naval ship in the Bay of Bengal

India on Thursday successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable ballistic missile Dhanush from a naval ship in the Bay of Bengal, an official said.

The missile was fired as part of the regular practice trial of the Strategic Forces Command, M.V.K.V. Prasad, director of the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur in Odisha's Balasore district, told IANS.

"The test was successful and it has met all its test requirements," he said.

Prasad, however, declined to specify the exact location in the Bay of Bengal where it took place.

Dhanush is a naval version of the nuclear-capable ballistic missile Prithvi.

It has a range of 350 km and is capable of carrying a conventional as well as nuclear payload of more than 500 kg. It can hit both land and sea-based targets.

The missile gives the Indian Navy capability to strike enemy targets with great precision.