Naval chief visits coastal area, reviews operational readiness

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP):With a view to witness the operational readiness of the troops during ongoing major Maritime Exercise SEASPARK 2018, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi Friday visited Naval units and
installations on Makran Coast including Gwadar, Turbat and Jinnah Naval Base at
Ormara.
Upon arrival at HQ COMWEST at Gwadar which is entrusted with Defense and Security of Gwadar Port, a lynchpin of China Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC, through effective employment of Task Force-88, Chief of the Naval Staff was received by Commander Coast, Rear Admiral Moazzam llyas and Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), a press release issued here by Directorate of Public Relations of
Pakistan Navy said.
A comprehensive brief was presented on
operational deployment of assets along the west coast to maintain Coastal
Security and Harbour Defence and Ground Based Air Defence of designated areas.
Subsequently, Chief of the Naval Staff witnessed Live Weapon Firing of Ground
Based Surface to Air Missiles, wherein, firing of three different types of Air
Defence Missiles was demonstrated.
The Naval Chief also
visited Business Centre Gwadar Free Zone. While interacting with Chinese
officials, the Admiral expressed Pakistan Navy’s resolve to ensure protection
of Gwadar Port against all asymmetric threats and said that Gwadar was cardinal
to CPEC and sea lanes/ routes connecting it (Gwadar) with international markets
are extension of CPEC.
Later during the day, Chief of the Naval Staff visited Turbat and Jinnah Naval Base Ormara. Upon
arrival, Chief of the Naval Staff was received by Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear
Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi. During the visit, Naval Chief was given
detailed overview/briefings on the ongoing operational activities at Coastal
Stations Turbat and Ormara.
The Naval Chief also interacted with the troops at various stations and expressed his satisfaction on their professional excellence and high morale in ensuring impregnable defence of the motherland
and reaffirmed the resolve of Pakistan Navy to ensure seaward defence of
Pakistan and safeguard national maritime interests at all costs.
He reiterated that any misadventure by the enemy would be thwarted with an iron fist.