India ? The nuclear saber-rattling between India and Pakistan continued Sunday when India successfully test-fired a medium-range nuclear-capable missile.

The test-fire took place days after its rival Pakistan launched a similar missile.

Sunday’s test was “routine” and “part of the country’s air defense exercises,” Press Trust of India news agency quoted an unnamed official as saying.

The Prithvi missile was fired into the Bay of Bengal from the test range in Chandipur in the eastern state of Orissa, the official said on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to reveal his identity under ministry rules. The test comes three days after rival Pakistan carried out a similar test of its nuclear-capable Ghauri missile, also known as the Hatf 5.