DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Pakistan Navy Ship YARMOOK, while operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), successfully executed a major counter-narcotics operation in the North Arabian Sea, resulting in the seizure of narcotics valued at approximately USD 972 million.
Pakistan military media wing ISPR said that this remarkable achievement highlights Pakistan Navy’s unwavering commitment to regional maritime security, global peace, and the collective fight against illicit trafficking at sea.
Operating as part of the multinational CTF-150 which focuses on ensuring maritime stability and deterring terrorism and illegal activities across the high seas, the successful operation by PNS YARMOOK reaffirms Pakistan’s active role as a responsible maritime partner contributing to peace and security in the wider Indian Ocean Region, ISPR said.
Combined Maritime Force
The Combined Maritime Force (CMF), a naval partnership that includes the United States, said the Pakistani naval vessel last week intercepted two different dhow sailing boats within 48 hours.
The crew seized several tons of crystal methamphetamine and a smaller amount of cocaine, the CMF statement said.
The intercepted vessels were “identified as having no nationality”, it said without indicating where they had originated.
It was “one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF,” said Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander of the CMF taskforce carrying out the operation.
Successful antinarcotic operation
The US Central Command, in a post on X, congratulated the CMF, which includes 47 countries’ navies and patrols more than 3 million square miles of sea, including some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, to disrupt the smuggling of drugs and weapons.
Upon execution of a successful antinarcotic operation, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, commended the crew of PNS YARMOOK for their professionalism and dedication.
The Naval Chief underscored that PNS YARMOOK’s operation under the Saudi-led task force will further enhance the interoperability between the two navies and strengthen defense collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
President and Prime Minister ’s Tribute
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hailed the Pakistan Navy for foiling a massive drug smuggling attempt worth billions of rupees, calling it a matter of national pride.
President Zardari lauded the mission as a “symbol of Pakistan’s commitment to global peace and cooperation”, and commended the Saudi-led Combined Maritime Task Force for fostering strong collaborative efforts in maintaining security across the region.
