Nuclear capable Long Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-III was successfully test fired from the Wheeler's Island off the Orrisa coast in eastern India on Sunday.

The test flight was conducted in presence of Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The missile is designed to carry a nuclear warhead and hit locations within a range of 3,500 kilometers, New Delhi TV said.

Indian engineers and scientists have been at work at the launch pad for the past fortnight to build the platform for the test.

The earlier variants of the missile, the Agni-I and Agni-II, are fully operational and are being gradually inducted into the armed forces.

India had twice postponed the Agni-III tests in the past one year, fearing an adverse impact on the progress of the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal.

Source: Xinhua