Pakistan Navy assumes command of multinational anti-piracy taskforce

Command was previously held by the Turkish Navy

Pakistan Navy on Thursday assumed command of a multinational anti-piracy task force operating in the Indian Ocean region. 

The command of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) was handed over to the navy in an impressive ceremony held at the Central Command Headquarters in Bahrain. The ceremony was attended by various diplomats and military dignitaries, including the ambassadors of Pakistan and Turkey stationed in the Gulf nation.

This will be the ninth time that Pakistan Navy will take over the command of this task force. It conducts counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and the Horn of Africa. The command of CTF-151 was previously held by the Turkish Navy.

According to a Pakistan Navy spokesperson, Commodore Abdul Muneeb has been appointed as the new commander of CTF-151. During his address, he said Pakistan Navy would continue to work with the navies of other countries for peace and stability in the region.

The CTF-151 is a multinational naval task force, set up in 2009 which performs its duties under the supervision of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Combined Task Force – 151 ensures maritime security, counter-terrorism and disrupting piracy at sea. It is also responsible for building capacity and improving relevant capabilities in order to protect global maritime commerce and secure freedom of navigation.

The task force operates in conjunction with the European Union’s Operation Atlanta and NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield.