Pakistani and US navies to hold joint drills

Islamabad, Sept 2: Pakistani and US Navies will conduct joint exercises ''Inspired Union 06'' from September 6.

The bilateral exercises would be conducted in the Northern Arabian Sea.

The purpose of exercises is to hold advance maritime interdiction operations, counter terrorism and other wide range of professional exercises. The exercises will be conducted in three phases.

The units participating from Pakistan Navy will include PNS Shahjahan, PNS Badar, PNS Moawin, PNS M Saad and from US Navy, USS Nicholas, USS Mcfaul, USS Albuquerque, and aircraft carrier Enterprise.

Pakistan navy is already the member of the Coalition of Maritime Campaign Patrol (CMCP), a multi-national naval force formed as part of the operation ''Enduring Freedom'' after the fall of the radical Afghan Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The force, which operates in the Gulf and Horn of Africa, is responsible for deterring terrorist operations and to curb human and drug trafficking in international seas.

Special Service forces from both sides will also in the exercise.

UNI