Mashhood Test Firing Range
The Mashhood Test Firing Range (MTFR) at Tilla Jogian is a Pakistan Army's military testing area and a firing range located approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan.[2][3]
| Mashhood Test Firing Range (1998–99)[1] Tilla Test Firing Range (present)[2] | |
|---|---|
| Tilla Jogian, Punjab, Pakistan. Near Jhelum, Punjab in Pakistan | |
Mashhood TFR in Salt Range in Pakistan | |
| Coordinates | 33°20′N 73°17′E / 33.333°N 73.283°E |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Pakistan Army |
| Open to the public | No |
| Website | NTI Mashhood TFR |
| Site history | |
| Built by | Corps of Ordnance |
It was used by the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) as a primary testbed for initial phase of its Ghauri program and now serves as the primary weapon test site for the Pakistan Army.[4]
Location edit
Tilla is an eastward continuation of the Salt Range in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan, 3,242 feet above the sea. From the Bunha torrent the range rises rapidly to the culminating peak of Tilla Jogian and thence sinks as rapidly, but a series of low parallel ridges runs out across the valley of the Kahan. During British Rule, the hill was sometimes used as a summer resort by officers of Jhelum District. A famous monastery of Jogi fakirs is situated here.[5]
Current operations edit
The test range is known as Tilla Test Firing Range according to the Pakistan Army sources.[6][2] The Pakistan Army has conducted exercises at the Tilla Firing Range to measure its manned tactical systems,electromagnetic radiation, and conducts missile testing and range recovery operations.[7][8]
In 1998–99, the Test Firing Range served as a testbed for the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) during its earliest development of the Ghauri program.[9] Other operations included Pakistan Air Force's range practice with the Pakistan Army, and subsequent missile testing by its strategic command.[10][11][12]
References edit
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2004-01-08. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
- ^ a b c Gady, Franz-Stefan. "Pakistan Tests Ballistic Missile". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan Army". www.astronautix.com.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2004-01-08. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
- ^ Tilla - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 23, p. 360
- ^ "Pakistan Army Test-Fires Indigenous Anti-Tank Guided Missile". Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Pakistani Army conducts training launch of Ghauri ballistic missile". Army Technology. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Tilla". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Tilla Jogian / Malute [Malot] - Pakistan Special Weapons Facilities". nuke.fas.org. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Tilla". www.astronautix.com.
- ^ "Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Army conduct Joint Field Firing Exercise at Tilla Ranges - video Dailymotion". Dailymotion. 19 August 2015.
- ^ "PKAFSC". www.astronautix.com.