Pakistan has tested a third ballistic missile, in a move likely to strain still further already tense relations with neighbouring India over Kashmir.

Pakistan said the launch concluded testing

The test comes as British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw holds talks in Islamabad which he says are aimed at reducing the risk of war between the nuclear rivals.

The Abdali missile tested on Tuesday is capable of carrying warheads accurately up to a range of 180 kilometres (110 miles).

"As part of a series of missile tests currently under way Pakistan today carried out a successful test of its short range indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile Haft-II (Abdali)," the Pakistani army said in a statement.

We are not at all impressed by these missile antics and the demonstration of imported and borrowed ability by Pakistan in this particular field

Nirupama Rao Indian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

It added that Tuesday's firing concluded the tests "for now".

The BBC's Zaffar Abbas in Islamabad says that this means no medium-to-long range missile test will be held on Tuesday as previously suggested.

An Indian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told the BBC that Pakistan was behaving irresponsibly and engaging in "political and military brinkmanship".

"We are not at all impressed by these missile antics and the demonstration of imported and borrowed ability by Pakistan in this particular field," Nirupama Rao said.

The Indian Government is expected to respond more fully when it gives an official reaction to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's Monday evening address to the nation.

Since Saturday, Pakistan has launched three missiles in what Islamabad has described as a series of routine missile tests aimed at securing the country's defences.

'War hysteria'

The trading of artillery and small arms fire is reported to be intensifying across the international border and the Line of Control.

The authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir said at least two people had been killed and eight injured in shelling by Indian troops.

And there were reports that gunmen had shot dead at least two people on the Indian-controlled side 50 km south of the capital Srinagar.

In his televised address, General Musharraf said Pakistan did not want war with India over Kashmir, but was ready to respond with full force if attacked.

	India: Agni II intermediate-range missile Tested 1999 200 kiloton nuclear warhead Pakistan: Shaheen II intermediate-range missile Tested 1999 35 kiloton nuclear warhead South Asia's nuclear stakes

He accused India of creating "war hysteria" by blaming Pakistan for terrorist attacks and insisted there was no infiltration taking place across the LoC in Kashmir.

"The danger of war is not yet over."

"I want to tell the world and give the assurance that no infiltration is taking place across the LoC," said the Pakistani president.

Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes replied that General Musharraf was "totally wrong" about infiltration of cross-border militants and that intelligence reports suggested more strikes were planned.

Despite international pressure on the Pakistani leader to further rein in Islamic groups, he announced no new measures against extremist groups and accused India of cruelty and atrocities in Kashmir.

"We do not want war," he said. "But if war is thrust upon us, we would respond with full might, and give a befitting reply."

Most of the speech was delivered in Urdu, but he switched to English to deny accusations of terrorist support and to urge the international community to push India towards normalising relations with Pakistan.

Diplomatic effort

The BBC's Adam Mynott in Delhi says India will have been infuriated not just by the content of the speech but the tone of accusations of involvement in atrocities in Kashmir and other parts of the country.

	Kashmir conflict: 1947 - India and Pakistan fight first war over disputed region 1965 - India blames Pakistan for insurgency, war breaks out again 1989 - Insurgency starts in Indian-administered Kashmir 1999 - Heavy clashes around Kargil in Indian-administered Kashmir Click here for Kashmir Q&A

Russia and the United States are applying diplomatic pressure, as well as the UK.

Deputy Foreign Minister Anatoly Safonov is in Islamabad and is expected to extend an offer by President Vladimir Putin to host face-to-face talks between General Musharraf and Mr Vajpayee at an Asian conference next month.

Washington is sending Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage to the region next week.

India began the military build-up after the attack on the federal parliament in Delhi last December.

Tension rose again two weeks ago after an attack on an army base in Kashmir in which more than 30 people died.