ISLAMABAD, Jan 6: The Creeks Battalion of the Pakistan Navy has been reinforced with new weapons and equipment for combat patrolling, anti-aircraft defence, anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling operations, officials told Dawn.

The battalion had been raised in 1999 for the defence of Sir Creek Area on the south-eastern border. "The battalion's capability to undertake anti-terrorism operations, stop smuggling and check illegal activities on Pakistan's coastal belt, has been enhanced with the induction of a Military Assault Boat (MAB) and a Hovercraft," said an official.

Answering a question, the official said three more Hovercrafts and MABs were in the pipeline. Pakistan negotiated the deal for four Hovercrafts with the UK. The Hovercraft Griffon 2000 TD (M) is capable of carrying up to 22 troops at a maximum speed of 35 knots over a variety of surfaces with obstacle clearance of 0.73 metres and 1.2 metre maximum wave height for operating sea state.

It is said to be capable of performing a variety of tasks. The official said India had also contracted the British Griffon company for six 8000 TD Hovercrafts, with two to be supplied by the company and the rest four to be built in India.