Latest news with #PakistanNavy
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan Navy conducts exercise to counter sub-conventional, asymmetric threats to major ports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy has conducted a comprehensive two-day exercise to counter sub-conventional and asymmetric threats to all major ports and harbors, its Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) said on Sunday, weeks after a four-day standoff with India. While air forces and armies of both countries traded jet, drone, missile and artillery strikes last month, the two navies did not reportedly engage each other during the four-day standoff. Media reports, however, suggested that Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant had maneuvered toward the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi, but Pakistan Navy kept it confined to the Indian territorial waters. The DGPR said on Sunday the naval exercise was aimed at validating and refining Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) to ensure robust defense of critical maritime infrastructure against 'evolving' asymmetrical threats. 'The exercise involved coordinated operations by PN (Pakistan Navy) Fleet units, Pakistan Marines, SSG (Special Services Group of Navy) and Naval Aviation assets,' it said in a statement. 'The exercise's scenarios were designed to simulate a range of sub-conventional threats including sabotage, infiltration and unconventional attacks, enabling participating units to enhance inter-agency coordination, situational awareness and rapid response capabilities.' During the exercise, Pakistan Coast Commander Rear Admiral Faisal Amin visited various operational setups at ports and harbors and witnessed live action simulations carried out by participating units. 'COMCOAST appreciated high level of preparedness and professional conduct demonstrated during the exercises,' the DGPR said. 'He emphasized the importance of maritime installations and added that secure functioning of ports and harbors is directly linked to national economic stability and growth.'
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First Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
China's duplicity on display during the India-Pakistan conflict
The fragile hopes of normalisation of India-China ties have clearly been flushed down the drain and the suspicion of China is here to stay in India read more (File) Officials wave flags as a Chinese naval ship arrives at PNS Dockyard in Karachi in this handout picture released by the Pakistan Navy on March 5, 2007. Reuters The India-China relation, an already contentious one, wavering more often towards competition and conflict with small bouts of cooperation, became more complicated as India launched Operation Sindoor to retaliate against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Pahalgam. To begin with, China refrained from calling Pahalgam a terrorist attack. Furthermore, following the attack, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated, 'China fully understands Pakistan's reasonable security concerns and supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is pertinent to note that China did not issue any such statement for India, the victim of the terror attack, but instead issued one in support of Pakistan. Mao Keji, a Chinese commentator with significant social media presence, lamented that Beijing's remarks were aimed at dissuading India from undertaking any military action. As India launched Operation Sindoor on the intervening night of May 6 and May 7, China labelled the operation 'regrettable', while urging restraint. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that India and Pakistan are and always will be each other's neighbours. They are China's neighbours as well. In this, Beijing attempted to signal a neutral stance while reaffirming support for Pakistan's sovereignty and so-called counter terrorism efforts. While this was the official stance, state-controlled media from China did the needful in clarifying Beijing's position. China Daily, Global Times and CGTN all pushed out disinformation, projecting a strong Pakistan backed by China, taking on India. The spread of false narratives from state-controlled Chinese media was so massive that the Indian Embassy in Beijing had to take to X (formerly Twitter) to counter the false narratives being spread by China's state-controlled media. Even as Beijing official statements struck a neutral tone in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, there are reasons to believe that China extended military support to Pakistan to mount a response to India's retaliatory attacks. As stated by Ashok Kumar, the Director of CENJOWS, in an interview, that 'China helped them [Pakistan] redeploy their air defence radar so that any actions we do from the aerial route is known to them.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Furthermore, a Chinese analyst on X, using the handle tphuang, with significant social media following, pointed out that given the sophistication of Rafale, it is highly unlikely for the PAF to shoot it down unless it received intelligence from Chinese radars stationed in Tibet. Thus, there is a greater likelihood of a China-Pakistan collusion during the conflict. China's hypocrisy was also apparent in the UN Security Council's statement on the Pahalgam terror attacks. While the statement condemned terrorism in all its form and expressed condolences to India and Nepal, it refrained from naming 'The Resistance Front', a proxy of the UN-designated terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. China's coordination with Pakistan at the UNSC, blocking mention of TRF, has been seen in India as a diplomatic support to Pakistan, which undermines the disengagement and the attempts to normalise relations between India and China, from 2024. Operation Sindoor has also cast a spotlight on China's role as Pakistan's key arms supplier, with observations comparing and contrasting the performance of Chinese weapons against Indian and Western systems like the Rafale. China has supplied more than $20 billion worth of arms to Pakistan, and this includes 20J-10CE, Wing Loong, missiles such as Hongqi HQ-9P surface to air missiles, among a long list of others. All of this only escalates the India-China rivalry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thus, the short war-like conflict between India and Pakistan yet again reflected China's duplicity in it approach to conflicts. On one hand, it attempted to project an image of neutral party, on the other hand, it amplified the false narratives of Pakistan against India. On one hand, while Beijing called for restraint and peace, on the other hand, it extended support to Pakistan. China's duplicity is not new. There's always been a huge difference in what China preaches to the world, and what it actually practices. In addition to the conflict between India and Pakistan, China also attempted renaming places in India's Arunachal Pradesh, and the timing of the naming exercise cannot be missed. Additionally, some Chinese officials have also recently inspected the British era Lalmonirhat airfield, which Bangladesh is eyeing to revive with Chinese assistance. Before Chinese officials visited Lalmonirhat, a Pakistani military intelligence delegation inspected some border areas of Bangladesh as well. Again, the timing cannot be missed here. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Keeping China's duplicity and attempts to keep India restricted to managing conflicts in its periphery, the Indian delegation visiting friendly countries, to share updates on Pakistani terrorism and India's Operation Sindoor, is giving China a skip. The fragile hopes of normalisation of India-China ties have clearly been flushed down the drain and the suspicion of China is here to stay in India. The brief episode of conflict between India and Pakistan has revealed what China wants from India a weakened, subordinate position to China, which can be leveraged by China only in its tirade against the West — a position and a future, that is unacceptable to India. Sriparna Pathak is Associate Professor, Chinese Studies and International Relations, Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University, Haryana. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan navy thwarted Indian aircraft carrier threat during latest standoff — PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday an Indian aircraft carrier that had reached as close as 400 nautical miles to Pakistan retreated after realizing the country's navy was prepared to 'respond vigorously' during a military confrontation between the two nations earlier this month. The United States played a major role in de-escalating the worst fighting in decades between the two nuclear-armed South Asian rivals, who fired missiles and drones onto each other's territory and fought with gunfire on their de facto border following weeks of tensions after a deadly April 22 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denies involvement.. On Monday, the Pakistani PM visited the Naval Dockyard in Karachi to pay tribute to the Pakistan navy for its role in Operation Bunyan-um Marsoos, the code-name given by the Pakistan army to what it calls a retaliatory strike launched in the early hours of May 10 after India attacked at least three of its air bases with missiles. 'The Prime Minister particularly praised the Navy's critical role in safeguarding sea lines of communication and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of maritime trade, while maintaining absolute maritime sovereignty through a layered and assured seaward defense,' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. In his address, Sharif said Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant had retreated after 'sensing the preparedness' of the Pakistan Navy. During the latest standoff, the Indian navy had deployed at least 36 warships which included an INS Vikrant-led Carrier Battle Group including 8 to 10 warships 'Indian Navy's [aircraft carrier] Vikrant had reached close to Pakistan by 400 nautical miles, but after suffering immense losses inflicted by Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army [in May 10 retaliatory strikes], Vikrant retreated, sensing the preparedness of the Pakistan Navy to respond vigorously,' Sharif said. India's navy is believed to hold significant advantage over Pakistan's, boasting a larger fleet and more diverse capabilities. India's navy includes aircraft carriers, destroyers, and a substantial submarine fleet, allowing it to project power beyond regional waters, whereas Pakistan's navy is primarily focused on coastal defense in the Arabian Sea. India's navy comprises over 293 vessels, including two aircraft carriers, 13 destroyers, and 18 submarines, making it a 'blue-water' navy with the ability to operate in global maritime zones. INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant give India the capability for air power projection and anti-ship operations. Pakistan's navy operates 121 ships, with no aircraft carriers or destroyers.
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM visits Pakistan Navy Dockyard
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Pakistan Navy Dockyard on Monday to pay tribute to the Navy's critical role in the ongoing Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, reaffirming the nation's confidence in the capabilities of Pakistan's armed forces. Upon arrival, the prime minister was received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf. Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu were also present. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz boarded the Type-054A Class Destroyer PNS TAIMUR, where he was briefed by Commander Pakistan Fleet on the Navy's strategic vision, operational engagements, and contributions to national security during the ongoing operation. Addressing officers and sailors, the prime minister lauded the Pakistan Navy's professionalism, operational readiness, and unflinching commitment to national defence. He expressed the nation's deep appreciation and emphasised that the Armed Forces remain the bedrock of Pakistan's sovereignty and security. He particularly commended the Navy's effective maritime deterrence and its vital role in securing sea lines of communication, ensuring uninterrupted maritime trade, and upholding maritime sovereignty through a robust layered defence. Highlighting the Navy's distinguished history of decisive actions, including the historic Operation Dwarka, the prime minister asserted that the Pakistan Navy is fully prepared to conduct high-intensity operations whenever required. The prime minister was accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaulah Tarar, and Federal Minister for Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM visits PN Dockyard
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Pakistan Navy Dockyard on Monday to pay tribute to the Navy's critical role in the ongoing Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, reaffirming the nation's confidence in the capabilities of Pakistan's armed forces. Upon arrival, the prime minister was received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf. Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu were also present. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz boarded the Type-054A Class Destroyer PNS TAIMUR, where he was briefed by Commander Pakistan Fleet on the Navy's strategic vision, operational engagements, and contributions to national security during the ongoing operation. Addressing officers and sailors, the prime minister lauded the Pakistan Navy's professionalism, operational readiness, and unflinching commitment to national defence. He expressed the nation's deep appreciation and emphasised that the Armed Forces remain the bedrock of Pakistan's sovereignty and security. He particularly commended the Navy's effective maritime deterrence and its vital role in securing sea lines of communication, ensuring uninterrupted maritime trade, and upholding maritime sovereignty through a robust layered defence. Highlighting the Navy's distinguished history of decisive actions, including the historic Operation Dwarka, the prime minister asserted that the Pakistan Navy is fully prepared to conduct high-intensity operations whenever required. The prime minister was accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaulah Tarar, and Federal Minister for Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
