Pakistan test-fires cruise missile

A cruise missile was successfully test-fired Tuesday by Pakistan's military, officials said. The Hatf-VII cruise missile has a range of about 435 miles, the military said. A military statement said the missile can carry "both nuclear and conventional warheads and has stealth capabilities," The New York Times reported A Pakistani defense analyst said the missile test is part of a regional arms build-up with a focus on India. Pakistan test-fired two other missiles last week. "This system provides Pakistan the capability to strike vital counter force targets all along the India-Pakistan border and coastline," analyst Mansoor Ahmed told the newspaper. "This is signaling to India that if you are modernizing your weaponry, then we are also not lagging behind."