RAWALPINDI, Jan 27: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid has left for Bahrain on a four-day visit to meet Pakistan Navy troops, high-ranking government and military officials, including the US NAVCENT commander.

According to an ISPR press release issued on Sunday, the Pakistan Navy would complete its seven-month command of the Combined Task Force (CTF) on February 25, 2008.

The force includes naval ships from various coalition nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Pakistan, United Kingdom and the United States. The force has successfully conducted Mari-time Security Operations (MSO) in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The CFT was established in April 2004, slightly before Operation Enduring Freedom began. Pakistan Navy ships have been deployed twenty times in rotation so far.

In addition, the Maritime Patrol Aircraft also conducted regular sorties in the engagement. February 25 marks the navy’s second command tenure of the CTF 150.

Under successful and synergistic command of the Pakistan Navy, local maritime have reported enhanced sense of security.—APP