DPA
Islamabad, Feb 27 (DPA) Pakistan’s naval chief Wednesday expressed concern over India’s test firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons to a distance of 700 km. “This is going to start a new arms race in the region. We are aware of these developments. These developments are taking place with the view to put nuclear weapons at sea, which is a very serious issue,” Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, told reporters.

The test-fire of 8.5-metre-long missile, named K-15, was carried out Tuesday off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa.

When integrated with a nuclear-powered submarine, which India expects to be ready for sea trials in 2009, the missile will give the country second-strike capabilities if its land or air-based weapons were disabled.

Nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947. But the relations are improving since 2004 when the two sides started a peace process. They have also agreed to notify each other of missile tests.
DPA