The solid fuel-propelled Trishul missile, which has a range of six miles, was fired from India's main testing center in Chandipur-on-Sea in the eastern state of Orissa, Defense Ministry spokesman Amitabha Chakrabarti told The Associated Press.

"Trishul" means trident, the weapon favored by Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

The missile, developed by the government's Defense Research and Development Organization, is capable of targeting aircraft and sea-skimming missiles, and can carry a warhead of up to 33 pounds.

India routinely test-fires missiles it is developing for military use at the site 750 miles southeast of New Delhi.

When it tests larger missiles, it gives advance notice to Pakistan, its neighbor and nuclear rival with which it has fought three wars. Pakistan does likewise.

A Trishul missile also was tested in December. At that time, Pakistan said it does not comment on tests of such short-range missiles by India.

India's missile arsenal includes the short-range ballistic missile Prithvi, the medium-range Agni and Akash missiles, the anti-tank Nag missile and the supersonic Brahmos missile.

Last week, India tested a new, extended-range version of its nuclear-capable Prithvi missile that could easily reach Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

AP-ES-03-25-04 0750EST