Sri Lanka allows Pakistan’s Chinese-built warship to dock in Colombo after Bangladesh denies entry: Report

The Pakistan warship was to anchor outside the Chattogram port from August 7 to 10 on its journey from Shanghai to Karachi (Pic: Pakistan Radio)

The Pakistan warship was to anchor outside the Chattogram port from August 7 to 10 on its journey from Shanghai to Karachi, the news agency said, adding that Dhaka denied permission to PNS Taimur as August is a month of mourning for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whose father Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman was assassinated on August 15, 1975.

An official told the news agency that the warship which is equipped with laser-guided missiles is now anchored at the Colombo port after the Sri Lankan government gave it permission. The warship will now leave Colombo port on 12th August (Thursday) for Karachi.

Built at China’s Dong port in Shanghai, the warship took part in exercises in Malaysia and Cambodia along its journey to Karachi. It is expected to reach Karachi on August 15. Pakistan commissioned this warship at Hudong Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard. PNS Taimur is the second of four Type 054 A/P Frigates built for the Pakistan Navy.

The first 054 A/P Frigate PNS Tughril joined Pakistan Navy Fleet in January this year, while another two frigates of the same class are presently under construction in China, Pakistan Radio reported in June.

PNS Taimur is a technologically advanced and highly capable sea asset having hi-tech weapons and sensors, the latest combat management, and an electronic warfare system to fight in a multi-threat environment, it said.

Earlier this week, Sri Lanka wrote to China asking it to defer the visit of its spy ship – Yuang Wang 5 – to Hambantota port. The move came after India raised security concerns with Colombo. Built-in 2007, the ship can map the ocean bed which is critical to anti-submarine operations.