Israel, US test ballistic missile interceptor
Jerusalem, Jan 22 : Israel said it carried out a successful test Tuesday with the United States of ballistic missile interceptors jointly developed by the allies, in the face of growing tensions with Iran.
The test came a day after the latest deadly exchange of fire between Israel and Iranian forces operating in Syria.
The Arrow 3 interceptor system, designed to shoot down missiles above the atmosphere, was deployed at air force bases across Israel two years ago.
"Our enemies who seek to destroy us should know that Israel's clenched fist will reach all those who seek our ill and we will settle accounts with them," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement hailing the test.
"We will continue to successfully develop the most advanced weapons systems in the world in order to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel and the State of Israel."
On Tuesday Netanyahu toured the aerospace plant in central Israel where the Arrow missiles are produced.
The Arrow system, partly financed by the United States, was developed and produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries in partnership with Boeing.
An Israeli defence ministry statement said Tuesday that the system's radars had detected the target, a replica missile launched from central Israel.
"At the right moment, the Arrow 3 interceptor was launched toward the target and successfully completed its mission," it said.
Arrow 3 is intended to serve as Israel's highest-altitude missile interception system.
Systems for intercepting incoming missiles at lower altitudes are either already deployed or close to becoming operational.
In December, Israel's arch-enemy Iran confirmed it had carried out a missile test, after Western powers sharply criticised a launch of medium-range ballistic missiles.
Western powers said the missiles were capable of carrying nuclear warheads and therefore violated a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
Tehran says its missile programme is "non-negotiable".
Israel had opposed the deal between Iran and major powers, which lifted a wide range of international sanctions in exchange for limits on the Islamic republic's nuclear programme.
Iran reined in most of its nuclear programme under the 2015 deal, but has continued to develop its ballistic missile technology.
"The success of this test is a major milestone in the operational capabilities of the State of Israel and its ability to defend itself against current and future threats in the region," the Israeli defence ministry said Tuesday.
The system passed a series of tests before being deployed in 2017, and the ministry did not give further details on the purpose of Tuesday's test.
Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from entrenching itself in neighbouring Syria.
Israeli forces carried out a series of strikes in recent days on what it said were Iranian facilities in its war-torn neighbour, after a rocket was fired on Sunday at the Golan Heights.
A monitor said Tuesday 21 people, mostly Iranian, died in the raids. Israel accused Iranian forces of firing the surface-to-surface rocket, which was intercepted by the Iron Dome system.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Hit by car, delivery agent dies after falling from flyover in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): A food delivery agent died after falling from the Dabri flyover in southwest Delhi when his scooter was allegedly hit by a car on Thursday morning, police said.
The car driver fled from the spot, police said.
A PCR call was received at 7:35 am informing that a person had fallen from the Dabri flyover on Pankha road and required immediate medical assistance, they said.
A police team rushed to the spot and found a damaged scooter and a car on the flyover. The scooter rider sustained serious injuries and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital in an ambulance, where doctors declared him dead, they added.
According to police, the victim was identified as Rajkumar, a resident of Jharkhand's Godda district. He was working as a delivery executive with a private food delivery service in Delhi.
The car involved in the accident bears a Delhi registration number and is registered in the name of a Dabri resident, police said.
"The body has been preserved in a mortuary and efforts are underway to apprehend the absconding driver," a senior police officer said.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and an investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the accident, police said.
