Pakistan is preparing for its second test of a nuclear-capable missile in less than a week, with general elections three days away, local media reported on Monday.
A medium-range surface-to-surface Shaheen ballistic missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead deep into Indian territory, would be test-fired on Tuesday, the News English-language daily and the Jang Urdu-language reported.
Pakistan tested a Shaheen missile on Friday, and hours later India tested one of its own medium-range surface-to-air missiles.
Reports unconfirmed
Both reports cited unidentified officials. Pakistan's military top brass were locked in a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf on Monday, and spokesperson Major General Rashid Qureshi was unavailable to comment on the reports.
Government officials were also unable to confirm the reports.
"I have no idea," Foreign Office spokesperson Aziz Ahmad Khan said. Another official, requesting anonymity, said he was unaware of the test plans.
The News daily said the missile to be tested on Tuesday would have a range of 800 kilometres with an accuracy of 25 to 50 metres.
It would be tested from Sonmiani on the country's south coast, the same area in which a Shaheen was tested on Friday.
The Jang daily last Thursday correctly predicted Friday's test-firing.
Test dismissed as “election gimmick”
Last week's test prompted scorn from nuclear rival India, whose leaders dismissed it as an "election gimmick" ahead of Thursday's polls. Nine hours later India tested its own medium-range surface-to-air missile, known as Akash.
The dual missile tests were condemned internationally, with the United States, Britain, Canada, Sweden and Japan all criticising the moves.
Tensions between India, Pakistan resurge
The tests come amid a resurgence of tensions between the nuclear neighbours following an explosion of violence in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Almost 700 people have been killed in the Indian-run southern half of Kashmir since early August, when India announced state elections there.
The violence is blamed on Islamic militants waging a 13-year insurgency against Indian rule. New Delhi accuses Pakistan of backing the militants, and Indian leaders have been pointing the finger at Pakistan over the latest bloodshed. Pakistan says it only offers diplomatic and moral support
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