ISLAMABAD, Jan 9 (Reuters) Pakistan fired its first submarine-launched cruise missile today, its military said, a step which is likely to heighten long-running tension with India. The nuclear-capable Babur-3 missile, which has a range of 450 km, was fired from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean. "Pakistan eyes this hallmark development as a step towards reinforcing the policy of credible minimum deterrence," the military's media wing said in a statement. The Pakistani military said the Babur-3 missile was "capable of delivering various types of payloads and will provide Pakistan with a Credible Second Strike Capability, augmenting deterrence". An army spokesman later confirmed the language meant the missile was equipped to carry nuclear warheads. The Babur-3 is a sea-based variant of the ground-launched Babur-2 missile, which was tested in December. The military said the missile had features such as "underwater controlled propulsion and advanced guidance and navigation". REUTERS RP1855