Pakistan on Thursday successfully test-fired the terrain-hugging Babur cruise missile, which is capable of carrying warheads and can hit targets within a range of 700 km, that includes many Indian cities.

The Babur or Hatf VII missile can carry conventional as well as non-conventional nuclear warheads.

"The test will consolidate Pakistan's strategic capability and strengthen national security," a defence statement in Islamabad said.

President Pervez Musharraf [Images] and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz congratulated scientists for the successful launch.

Pakistan officials said the test-firing was a routine one.

Babur missile, flaunted by Pakistan's military as rival to Indo-Russia joint venture BrahMos cruise missile, was first tested in 2005 with a range of 500 km.

The missile was later test-fired in March 22, 2007, with an "enhanced" range of 700 km.

Pakistan officials say the Babur missile is "highly manoeuvrable with pinpoint accuracy."

India apparently was not informed of the test-firing as the pre-notification agreement of missile tests pertains only to ballistic missiles and not cruise missiles.