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NEW DELHI, Jan 25 (AFP) - India was preparing to test its homegrown nuclear-capable "Agni-II" missile amid heightened military tensions with arch-rival Pakistan, Star News reported Friday.

According to the report, India's Defence Minister George Fernandes and senior officials were at the test site on India's east coast and monitoring preparations for the test.

The medium-range ballistic Agni (fire) missile, capable of delivering a nuclear warhead upto a distance of 2,500 kilometres (1,550 miles) was last tested on January 17 last year.

The decision to carry out the test comes a day before India celebrates its 52nd Republic day on Saturday.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have been running high since last month's attack on India's parliament complex in which 14 people were killed.

India says the attack was carried out by two Pakistan-based Islamic militant groups, with the backing of Pakistan's military intelligence and has moved tens of thousands of troops to its borders. 

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