PNS Qasim

PNS Qasim
Part of Pakistan Defence Forces
Manora Island, Karachi, Sindh Province.
PNS Qasim
File:PNSQasim.JPG PNS Qasim Insignia
Coordinates
Type	Military base
Site information
Owner	Pakistan Defence Forces
Controlled by	Pakistan Navy
Site history
Built	1966 (1966) (44 years ago)
In use	1966 - Present
Garrison information
Current commander	VDAM Tayyab Ali Doggar, PM
Past commanders	Admiral Mohammad Shariff, PN Commander M. Obaidullah, PN
Occupants	Special Service Group Navy (SSG[N]) Pakistan Marines (PM)

The Pakistan Naval Station Qasim, or PNS Qasim, is the major naval special operations base for the Amphibious Special Operations Forces in the Pakistan Navy. PNS Qasim, the garrison of Pakistan Marines, is served as the logistic base for the Marines which is responsible for general administration and naval/military logistics requirements. The Pakistan Marines Corps structure is composed of five segments, and the PNS Qasim is part of the Eastern Naval Command of Pakistan Navy. The base is named after the legendary Muslim Arab general Muhammad bin Qasim who conquered Daybul and the coastal areas of Sindh around 712 CE.

History

The Pakistan Marines were formed on June 1, 1971 to support the riverine and Amphibious operations in Pakistani province of East-Pakistan. It was headquartered in PNS Dhaka under the command of then 2 star Rear-Admiral Mohammad Shariff. In 1974, Marine Corps were disbanded from the services of Pakistan Armed Forces by President, later elected Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as the Service branch had completely failed to achieve any minor or major objectives in the both 1971 Winter War and the Bangladesh Liberation War.

On April 14, 1990, the Marine Corps were recreated in the Pakistan's Pakistan Defence Forces, and is recognized as one of her seven uniformed services as of 2000. In 1990, Pakistan Navy decided to establish the first Marine Battalion at Qasim Fort which was at that time under the operational control of PNS Himalaya. On November 25, 1990, the PNS Qasim was given commissioned as the headquarters/logistic base of Pakistan Marines. The Commissioning Crew consisted of eight senior flag rank officers, 67 Chief Petty Officers and Sailors from general Service and 43 Marines office r. The base oversaw and witnessed the Indo-Pakistani War of 1999, Atlantique Incident, 2002 Indo-Pakistani Standoff, War on Terror and Sir Creek Conflict.

Marine Organizations

Marines Training Centre (MTC)

The Marines Training Centre (MTC) was established in 1990 to impart Basic and Advance training to Pakistani Marines. During the 1990 era, Pakistan Army provided and trained the 1st Marine Offense Battalion as well as running the Training Center. In 2000, the Pakistan Navy took control of the center while the Army continued to train the Marine Corps. In 2004, as Marines Corps were given the status of one of the seven recognized uniform service of Pakistan Armed Forces, the PM took control of the Center. As of today, there are large numbers of United States Marine Corps and the Royal Marines, as military advisors, are providing the training of the Marines Corps.

The MTC is also the headquarters of Pakistan Naval Police (PNP), and conducts the basic and refresher training for PNP (Pakistan Naval Police).

Creeks Battalion

The Creeks battalion was raised in April 1999 by Pakistan Army with the objective to thwart external threat in creeks area through forward presence and active surveillance in peacetime and defend designated area of responsibility during war. Sir Creek Battalion is being commanded by an officer of Commander rank.

External links

• PNS Qasim