Islamabad : Pakistan conducted a successful test of the air launched nuclear-capable cruise missile Ra’ad-II with a range of 600km on Tuesday, significantly boosting the military’s “deterrence capability” on land and at sea.

The Ra’ad-II weapon system is equipped with state-of-the-art guidance and navigation systems ensuring engagement of targets with high precision, the military’s media wing said in a release. The missile significantly enhances air-delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea, it said.

Pakistan’s development of the Ra’ad could be seen as an attempt to match India’s BrahMos cruise missile, according to the US-based Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, non-profit organisation. It also said that currently this missile is planned to be attached to Mirage aircraft or F-16 fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force.

deadly GAS LEAK claims 14 lives

A gas leak in the southern port city of Karachi has killed 14 people and sickened hundreds more, Pakistani health officials said on Tuesday. The leak set off a panic in Karachi and raised concerns because city officials could not immediately identify the source and the type of gas involved. Officials said there was no suspicion of sabotage.

The apparently odourless gas, which causes severe breathing problems, has sickened hundreds since striking Karachi’s coastal area of Kamari on Sunday night. agencies