Missing Pakistani sailor believed to have jumped ship during NT war games
HMAS Melbourne off the coast of Darwin during Exercise Kakadu. (AAP) AAP
The Australian Defence Force is searching for a Pakistani sailor believed to jumped ship in Darwin during a major war games exercise.
It is believed the 23-year-old man disappeared into nearby scrub and did not want to be found, possibly hoping to seek refuge in Australia.
The sailor went missing from Pakistani naval ship PNS Nasr in the early hours of this morning, Defence said in a statement.
It appears he jumped overboard while the ship was anchored in Darwin Harbour as part of Exercise Kakadu, the navy’s largest maritime warfare exercise.
Water Police found the man’s plastic-wrapped backpack floating in the water near Talc Head.
Police leading the search said they believed the man had made it to land, with a dozen officers now scouring Talc Head, Belyuen and Delissaville.
Navy and Customs ships and two helicopters are also searching for the sailor.
Eight warships and 26 navy and air force aircraft from the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region are participating in the exercise.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
