ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy on Saturday inducted another offshore patrol vessel, PNS Yamama, into its fleet with an aim to enhance security of the country’s maritime frontiers, its Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) said.
This is the fourth Yamama ship of the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Batch II to be inducted in Pakistan Navy fleet, which was constructed and commissioned at Damen Shipyards, Romania.
The ship was inducted at a ceremony at Pakistan Navy Dockyard in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi, with Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Abdul Munib being the Chief Guest.
“Addition of PNS YAMAMA in PN fleet will significantly enhance Pakistan Navy’s capability of safeguarding maritime frontiers of Pakistan,” Rear Admiral Munib was quoted as saying by the DGPR.
“Induction of such multipurpose state-of-the-art platforms will provide vital support to ongoing PN maritime security patrol in Indian Ocean.”
The multipurpose, highly agile medium-sized offshore patrol vessel is equipped with self-protection and terminal defense system, state-of-the-art electronic warfare, and anti-ship and anti-air warfare capabilities, according to the DGPR.
Additionally, it is capable of embarking a multirole helicopter and can operate independently or as part of a taskforce for extended durations to execute a variety of missions.
In June 2024, Pakistan Navy inducted two warships, Babur and Hunain, into its fleet, days after it assumed command of a multinational taskforce, CTF-150, responsible for ensuring maritime security in the southeastern waters of the Middle East, operating in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.
Besides inducting various warships in its fleet, Pakistan Navy has held several joint exercises with friendly nations in recent years in a bid to enhance joint operational capabilities and strengthen regional security.
Pakistan Navy has also invited over 100 countries to the AMAN maritime exercises, scheduled to be held on Feb. 7-11, with the event including a dialogue for senior naval leaders for the first time. The exercise, held every two years, involves ships, aircraft and special operation forces.
Pakistan Navy inducts another offshore patrol vessel into its fleet to enhance maritime security
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Pakistan Navy inducts another offshore patrol vessel into its fleet to enhance maritime security
- This is the fourth Yamama ship to be inducted in Pakistan Navy fleet, which was constructed and commissioned at Damen Shipyards in Romania
- The multipurpose, highly agile medium-sized ship is equipped with a terminal defense system, and anti-ship and anti-air warfare capabilities
Pakistan police say 27 cops killed in 134 attacks in restive Bannu district in 2025
- Bannu is a restive district in northwestern Pakistan where militants frequently attack law enforcers
- Police say at least 20 drone attacks by militants killed nine civilians, injured 19 cops during the year
PESHAWAR: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district said this week that at least 27 police personnel were killed in 134 attacks while 53 militants were killed during various security operations in the volatile area during the year, as Islamabad grapples with a surge in militancy.
Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province is one of Pakistan’s most dangerous districts, where militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently target law enforcers in attacks.
Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that at least 134 “terrorist attacks” were recorded in Bannu district during 2025 that targeted police stations, posts, checkpoints, police mobiles and police parties.
“As a result of these attacks, 27 police personnel were martyred and 79 were injured,” a statement issued by Bannu Police said on Wednesday.
It said at least 168 intelligence-based operations were conducted by police across the district during the year, in which 105 militants were arrested and 65 were killed.
Khan informed media that militants carried out 20 drone attacks targeting police installations and civilian areas in 2025, killing nine civilians and injuring 19 police personnel.
“However, following the installation of an anti-drone system in Bannu district on Jul. 18, 2025, the situation improved significantly,” the statement said. “More than 300 drone attacks were thwarted, and four drones were struck/spoofed.”
He said the Bannu police force has been equipped with drones, anti-drone guns, sniper rifles, armored personnel carriers (APCs), thermal imaging systems, tactical helmets and bulletproof vehicles.
“Bannu police reiterates its resolve to continue its struggle to maintain law and order in the district, completely eliminate terrorism and protect the lives and property of the public,” the statement concluded.
Pakistan blames the Afghan government for facilitating TTP attacks inside its territory, a charge Kabul denies. The surge in militant attacks has strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leading to deadly border clashes in October that saw dozens killed and several wounded on both sides.
