The Pakistan Navy has concluded a comprehensive two-day exercise aimed at countering sub-conventional and asymmetric threats to the country’s key ports and harbors, the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) announced on Sunday. The drill comes just weeks after a tense four-day military standoff with India.
While the air forces and armies of both countries exchanged drone, jet, missile, and artillery strikes during the confrontation, their naval forces remained uninvolved in direct conflict. However, media reports suggested that the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant moved toward Pakistan’s southern coastline near Karachi, but remained within Indian territorial waters, reportedly deterred by the strategic posture of the Pakistan Navy.
According to the DGPR, the recent naval exercise was designed to test and refine the Navy’s Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) in response to evolving asymmetric threats to critical maritime infrastructure.
“The exercise involved coordinated operations by Pakistan Navy Fleet units, Pakistan Marines, the Special Services Group (Navy), and Naval Aviation assets,” the statement said.
Scenarios during the exercise simulated a range of sub-conventional threats, including sabotage, infiltration, and unconventional attacks. The goal was to enhance inter-agency coordination, boost situational awareness, and improve rapid response capabilities across maritime defense units.
Rear Admiral Faisal Amin, Commander Coast (COMCOAST), visited various operational sites during the exercise to observe live-action simulations. He praised the participating units for their high level of preparedness and professional execution.
“COMCOAST emphasized the strategic importance of maritime installations and noted that the secure functioning of ports and harbors is directly linked to national economic stability and growth,” the DGPR added.
The exercise underscores the Pakistan Navy’s focus on safeguarding maritime assets in the face of non-traditional security threats, amid growing regional tensions and evolving challenges in the Indian Ocean region.