Former India president APJ Abdul Kalam, who is often described as the father of India's missile programmee, said on Thursday that the 1998 nuclear tests were covered by a series of measures including missiles, rockets and experimental bombs.

He said that the country launched several missiles, rockets and even set off several experimental bombs in order to divert the attention of snoopers before conducting the 1998 nuclear tests in Pokhran. While delivering the 7th RN Kao Memorial Lecture organized here by the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), he remembered the days that led to the tests in which DRDO and his team worked to make the tests successful while keeping them secret from the world.

"An important event was to take place the next day. Multiple agencies were in action. The next two nights were dark nights with no moon light. The other side, the world was sleeping. At the Chandipur flight test range, a series of 12 Trishuls were launched. Almost every two hours one launch," he said.

He also said that a simulated Agni launch preparations were going on at full wing at the Island range at stealth launch platform. At the Pokharan ranges, a series of PINAKA type rockets were lined up and Air Force aircraft was bombarding with runway destruction bombs on trial runways. All these measures were taken to keep the tests secret.

He also remembered that realizing the seriousness and the importance of the issue, the then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao as him to brief Prime Minister-designate for a smother takeover. Kalam pointed out that the incidence displayed political maturity in handling the entire test pagramme.