NEW DELHI – The maiden night test of Indian nuclear-capable Agni-IIImissile failed on Saturday after it crashed into the sea in Odisha, theIndian media reported.

According the Indian Express, the missile deviated from its flight path andthe mission team had to terminate it.

“Starting from the launch to the first phase separation, everything wassmooth in accordance with the mission plan but suddenly it started behavingabnormally. It could possibly be due to metallurgical defects,” it added.

The report also said that the missile, which could carry both conventionaland nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes, had already been inductedin the inventory back in 2011.

Earlier, India test firedlink itsintermediate range, nuclear-capable Agni-III ballistic missile from anisland off the coast of the eastern state of Odisha.

The launch took place at 9:12am local time (03:42 GMT) from Abdul KalamIsland, off of the Odisha coast.

Agni-III has a strike range of more than 3,000 km and capable of carryingboth conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.

The missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant engine. With alength of 17 meters, the missile’s diameter is 2 meters and weight isaround 2,200 kg.

The test rocket was launched by the Strategic Forces Command unit of theIndia army.