PM hails Agni-V milestone

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday hailed India's successful Agni-V long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile test as 'another milestone' in the country's 'quest for security, preparedness and to explore the frontiers of science'.

'I congratulate all the scientific and technical personnel of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and other organisations who have worked tirelessly in our endeavour to strengthen the defence and security of our country,' Manmohan Singh said in his message soon after the successful Agni-V launch was announced by DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat.

'Today's (Thursday's) successful Agni-V test launch represents another milestone in our quest to add to the credibility of our security and preparedness and to continuously explore the frontiers of science. The nation stands together in honouring the scientific community,' he said.

The Prime Minister's Office also tweeted that Manmohan Singh spoke to Saraswat personally to congratulate him and his team for the successful test.

Agni-V was tested by DRDO from Wheelers' Island off Odisha at 8.07 a.m. Thursday, and it accurately hit the target about 5,000-km away, thereby helping India storm into an exclusive club of nations such as US, Russia and China that have this capability.