NEW DELHI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- India Thursday successfully test fired its advanced air defense interceptor missile off Abdul Kalam Island in its eastern sate of Odisha, officials said.

The missile built with indigenous technology has an explosive-carrying capacity of 1.2 tons and can hit the target from a distance of 20 km.

"The interceptor took off from Abdul Kalam Island in Bhadrak district at 11:25 a.m. (local time) today and hit the target at a height of 20 km in the sky," defense officials said.

Reports said the scientists and officers from India's Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) were present during the test.