Has Pakistan Test-Flown Its New Missile?
2209 GMT, 000818
Approximately seven objects streaked through the
skies of western Pakistan on Aug. 15. Thousands of
villagers witnessed unidentified objects flying from
west to east, and crashing into the mountains east of
the city of Quetta.
Reports are still unclear, but the most likely
explanation is that Pakistan has resumed missile
testing, possibly flying the Ghuari III for the first
time.
The initial explanation seems to be centering on a possible meteor shower. But
the Pakistani military reportedly scoured the mountains afterwards, searching for
debris. And the incident took place on arch-rival India's independence day.
Local Pakistani media report that witnesses in eastern Afghanistan and western
Pakistan saw six or seven missile-like objects flying “in formation” or “in a row”
before disappearing into Pakistan’s western mountains. No explosions were
reported. Eyewitnesses guessed that the objects were about 15 meters long,
flying at perhaps 5,000 to 7,000 feet. The Pakistani government denies that any
missiles landed in Pakistan, but has dispatched army troops and militia to locate
the impact sites.
The sightings could be explained by a meteor shower or a satellite returning to
earth. But a researcher at a major astronomy institute discounts the meteor
shower theory, and the world press makes no mention of a planned satellite
re-entry. Alternately, Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban might have staged the attack --
they possess FROG-7s and Scuds -- but there are reasons to believe otherwise.
It is unclear that the Taliban’s missiles are still operational and seems unlikely
that they would be wasted without hitting any target of value.
In fact, The News, a Pakistani daily, reports that Taliban officials initially thought
they were under attack from U.S. cruise missiles. The aircraft carrier USS
George Washington and its battle group are currently deployed in the Persian
Gulf, providing plenty of potential firepower. But it makes little political sense to
strike targets in Pakistan, whose government has not blamed Washington.
The more likely answer is that the launches came from within Pakistan. The
Pakistani air force operates a major base just west of Quetta, close to the Afghan
border, and has used the surrounding land as a missile test range. In 1988, the
range was used as the impact site for a missile test.
Based on the eyewitness reports, the 75-foot tall Ghauri III may fit the
description. If witnesses saw several objects, it is possible that the missile broke
up or was purposely destroyed in flight before impact. This would explain the
Taliban’s confusion -- as well as the Pakistani army’s decision to scour the hills
looking for fragments.
The Ghauri III would represent an important leap in Pakistani technology, allowing
the military to strike targets deep inside India. The missile, a version of the North
Korean Taepo Dong I, has an estimated range of 1800 miles and can carry a
payload of about 200 pounds.
Development has been quietly taking place The missile engine was successfully
tested Sept. 30, 1999, according to Islamabad's The News, a daily. The test took
place at the Kahuta Research Laboratories. Pakistan's defense establishment
appears to have focused heavily on increasing the range of missiles, according to
local media reports.
Most South Asian missile tests are cases of tit for tat. However, Pakistan didn’t
respond to the most recent Indian test last June – possibly a signal that it wanted
to decrease tensions with New Delhi. The fact that the incident took place literally
as far from the Indian border -- and Indian monitoring -- as possible may indicate
that Islamabad is attempting to advance its missile program without anyone
finding out.
Had a test succeeded, Islamabad would likely have crowed about it. The day of
the incident was India’s independence day.
------------------
CROIRE A L'INCROYABLE
2209 GMT, 000818
Approximately seven objects streaked through the
skies of western Pakistan on Aug. 15. Thousands of
villagers witnessed unidentified objects flying from
west to east, and crashing into the mountains east of
the city of Quetta.
Reports are still unclear, but the most likely
explanation is that Pakistan has resumed missile
testing, possibly flying the Ghuari III for the first
time.
The initial explanation seems to be centering on a possible meteor shower. But
the Pakistani military reportedly scoured the mountains afterwards, searching for
debris. And the incident took place on arch-rival India's independence day.
Local Pakistani media report that witnesses in eastern Afghanistan and western
Pakistan saw six or seven missile-like objects flying “in formation” or “in a row”
before disappearing into Pakistan’s western mountains. No explosions were
reported. Eyewitnesses guessed that the objects were about 15 meters long,
flying at perhaps 5,000 to 7,000 feet. The Pakistani government denies that any
missiles landed in Pakistan, but has dispatched army troops and militia to locate
the impact sites.
The sightings could be explained by a meteor shower or a satellite returning to
earth. But a researcher at a major astronomy institute discounts the meteor
shower theory, and the world press makes no mention of a planned satellite
re-entry. Alternately, Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban might have staged the attack --
they possess FROG-7s and Scuds -- but there are reasons to believe otherwise.
It is unclear that the Taliban’s missiles are still operational and seems unlikely
that they would be wasted without hitting any target of value.
In fact, The News, a Pakistani daily, reports that Taliban officials initially thought
they were under attack from U.S. cruise missiles. The aircraft carrier USS
George Washington and its battle group are currently deployed in the Persian
Gulf, providing plenty of potential firepower. But it makes little political sense to
strike targets in Pakistan, whose government has not blamed Washington.
The more likely answer is that the launches came from within Pakistan. The
Pakistani air force operates a major base just west of Quetta, close to the Afghan
border, and has used the surrounding land as a missile test range. In 1988, the
range was used as the impact site for a missile test.
Based on the eyewitness reports, the 75-foot tall Ghauri III may fit the
description. If witnesses saw several objects, it is possible that the missile broke
up or was purposely destroyed in flight before impact. This would explain the
Taliban’s confusion -- as well as the Pakistani army’s decision to scour the hills
looking for fragments.
The Ghauri III would represent an important leap in Pakistani technology, allowing
the military to strike targets deep inside India. The missile, a version of the North
Korean Taepo Dong I, has an estimated range of 1800 miles and can carry a
payload of about 200 pounds.
Development has been quietly taking place The missile engine was successfully
tested Sept. 30, 1999, according to Islamabad's The News, a daily. The test took
place at the Kahuta Research Laboratories. Pakistan's defense establishment
appears to have focused heavily on increasing the range of missiles, according to
local media reports.
Most South Asian missile tests are cases of tit for tat. However, Pakistan didn’t
respond to the most recent Indian test last June – possibly a signal that it wanted
to decrease tensions with New Delhi. The fact that the incident took place literally
as far from the Indian border -- and Indian monitoring -- as possible may indicate
that Islamabad is attempting to advance its missile program without anyone
finding out.
Had a test succeeded, Islamabad would likely have crowed about it. The day of
the incident was India’s independence day.
------------------
CROIRE A L'INCROYABLE