Hatf V
Handout image from a Pakistan military shows a medium range ballistic missile Hatf V (Ghauri) being fired during a test at an undisclosed location in Pakistan in November 2012Handout image from a Pakistan

Pakistan on Wednesday successfully test-fired nuclear capable Hatf-IV, a short-range ballistic missile that could hit targets in India.

After the test fire of the missile, Pakistan military officials said that the launch of the Hatf-IV, aka the Shaheen-1, would strengthen the country's deterrence capabilities "manifold".

In a statement issued by the military, the launch of 900km range missile was described as successful.

"The missile incorporates a series of improvements in range and technical parameters of the existing missile," said the military adding that the "impact point" of the launch was at sea.

According to reports, the Hatf-IV is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 900km which means it was capable of hitting targets in India.

The launch of the short-range ballistic missile was witnessed by Strategic Plans Division Chief Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, who said the improved version of the Hatf-IV "has consolidated and strengthened Pakistan's deterrence abilities manifold".

Apart from Kidwai , senior military officers, scientists and engineers were also present for the launch.

In February, Pakistan had conducted another successful launch of a short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Hatf II (Abdali).

Pakistan had been testing a series of missiles since 2012 which included Hatf-IX tactical missile with a range of 60km and Hatf-V ballistic missile with a reach of 1,300km.