India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile Agni-V on Monday. The missile was launched from a canister on a road mobile-launcher from Dr. Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha.

“This is the third successful launch of Agni-V this year and the fifth launch of the missile in a canisterised form,” an official source said. The missile was earlier tested in January and June this year.

Agni-V is an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a strike range of over 5,000 km and can reach most parts of China. The mission critical avionics were indigenously designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.

“All the mission objectives were successfully achieved. This launch comes after a series of successful launches of the missile. It further strengthens the country’s deterrence capability, which has been developed indigenously by assiduous efforts of scientists,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The launch was a user-assisted trial and the launch operations were carried out and monitored by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) in presence of scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Agni series of missiles constitute the backbone of India’s nuclear weapons delivery which also includes the Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft. The submarine-based nuclear arsenal which assures second strike capability in the face of the proclaimed No-First-Use policy is taking shape with INS Arihant completing its first deterrence patrol recently.

BJP State spokesperson and nominee from Karimnagar Assembly segment, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, found fault with the district election authorities for refusing permission for the conduct of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s public meeting in the town on Wednesday.

Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, he said that the BJP sought permission of the authorities a week ago for according permission for the meeting at Circus Grounds in the heart of Karimnagar on Wednesday morning and also paid the necessary ground fee of ₹ 1 lakh at the rate of ₹ 50,000 per day for two days. They had also secured permission for the landing of two helicopters and other no-objection certificates.

On Tuesday, the BJP leaders erected tents, barricading and other arrangements for the successful conduct of the meeting. In the afternoon, the police served notice to the BJP leaders stating that their application was rejected following law and order problem as the TRS leaders are taking out a massive rally.

The BJP candidate alleged that the district election authorities and the police are succumbing to the pressures from the TRS leaders. Referring to the police instructions to change the meeting venue to other locations in the town, he said that they have already made the arrangements at the site and that they will not shift it. “We will organise the meeting at Circus Ground even if Mr. Adityanath does not come,” he said.