India today successfully test-fired itsindigenously developed interceptor missile which destroyed a 'hostile' target ballistic missile, a modified Prithvi over the Bay of Bengal.

The 'hostile' target ballistic missile, a modified surface-to-surface 'Prithvi', was first lifted off from a mobile launcher at 12.52 this afternoon from the launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-Sea, 15 km from Balasore of Odisha.

In less than three minutes, the interceptor, Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile positioned at Wheeler Island, about 70 km across sea from Chandipur, received signals from tracking radars installed along the coastline and travelled through the sky to destroy it.

According to ITR sources, the interceptor hit the 'target' missile over the Bay of Bengal. Detailed results and the 'kill' effect of the interceptor were being ascertained by analysing data from multiple tracking after the trial.

The interceptor designed for endo-atmospheric condition is a seven-meter long and single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile, equipped with an inertial navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator under command by the data uplinked from sophisticated ground based radars. The interceptor designed for exo-atmospheric condition is a two stage missile.

As a safety measure, the Balasore district administration had temporarily shifted a number of civilian families residing within two km radius of ITR launch complex number -3 at Chandipur this morning to the nearby shelter centres.

As the trial was aimed at achieving the desired result with precision, the interceptor missile had its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities and sophisticated radars.

Earlier, the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists had tested the interceptor missile a number of times.