Islamabad, Aug 15 (IANS): Pakistan has taken over the command of a multinational counter-terrorism coalition force based in Bahrain, a leading Pakistani daily reported Friday.

The command of Combined Task Force-150 was passed on to Pakistan Navy from Britain's Royal Navy Thursday at the US Naval Forces Central Command headquarters in Bahrain, the Dawn reported.

The force is tasked to promote maritime security by countering terrorist acts and related illegal activities. It will be headed by Commodore Sajid Mahmood.

Pakistan has previously commanded the anti-terror force six times.

Other countries that form the coalition force include Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, Britain and the US. The command is rotated among the nations for four to six months’ terms.

The force’s area of operation includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman.