India tests nuclear-capable, short-range missile

An Indian defense official says the short-range Prithvi missile accurately hit targets in the Bay of Bengal during testing.

The army already uses the nuclear-capable Prithvi but regularly test fires the missile to hone accuracy and speed. India also is developing a clutch of other missiles to strengthen its defenses.

Defense Ministry spokesman N. Ao said the missile was fired from the testing range in Chandipur in Orissa state Monday and hit the targets with very high accuracy.

The surface-to-surface missile can strike targets up to 220 miles (350 kilometers) away.