India successfully test-fires missile interceptor

NEW DELHI: India's attempts to fortify itself against a probable air attack got a major boost on Sunday when it successfully tested a ballistic missile interceptor from a defence base in Orissa as part of its endeavour to create a shield against incoming enemy missiles.

The indigenous interceptor 'Ballistic Missile Defence System' was fired from Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast near Dhamra in Bhadrak district, about 170km from here at 9.37am, an official said.

It successfully destroyed an incoming ballistic missile - a variant of the Prithvi II - fired from the launch complex III of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-Sea in Orissa.