Pakistan takes command of coalition Navy

Islamabad, Apr 24 (UNI) Pakistan Navy today assumed command of the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMCP) to patrol waters around the Arabian Peninsula to stop terrorism and piracy.

Rear Admiral Shahid Iqbal will command the CMCP, of which Pakistan had become a member in April 2004 some three years after the multi-national counter-terrorism force was raised in 2001.

Pakistan navy will lead the force for one year from Naval Central Command (NAVCENT) headquartered in Bahrain.

The CMCP is the maritime component of the ''Operation Enduring Freedom,'' the US-led anti-terror international coalition, which routed government of radical Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001, months after the terrorist attacks on the United States.

The CMCP operates in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Horn of Africa.

Pakistan navy's frigate ''Babur'' has been conducting operations with American destroyer USS Sullivans and French Frigates FS Surcouf in the Gulf of Oman and has taken part in interdiction operations intended to disrupt terrorist's movement by sea.

Pakistan and the US, Britain, France, Australia, Italy, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain are members of the coalition.

Pakistan is the first non-NATO country, which has taken over command of the CMCP, comprising two task forces.

UNI XC AD VP2014