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New Delhi: In a significant improvement, Indian Defence officers on Monday (January 29) stated that the Navy warship INS Sumitra has rescued fishermen hijacked by Somali pirates 700 nautical miles west of Kochi within the Arabian Sea. The Iranian fishing vessel MV Iman with round 17 crew members was hijacked by Somali pirates.
“INS Sumitra, on Anti-Piracy Operations along the East coast of Somalia & the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates & the crew taken as hostages,” an Indian Navy official stated.
“INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat & ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat. The FV was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit,” it added.
Mission deployed Indian Naval ships on anti-piracy & Maritime Security Operations within the Indian Ocean Region symbolise Indian Navy’s resolve in the direction of security of all vessels and seafarers at sea, it famous.
The newest assault got here amid a collection of assaults by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on cargo vessels within the Red Sea and different essential enterprise routes.
This got here round ten days after the pirates captured no less than six Sri Lankan fishermen with multi-day fishing trawler Lorenzo Putha-4 set from Dikowita fishing harbour. Although the Sri Lankan Navy didn’t remark on the event, a defence official on Sunday stated that India has vowed to assist in rescuing them.
Similar makes an attempt had been foiled by Indian Navy
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Defence stated that the Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed platforms responded swiftly to a maritime incident within the Arabian Sea involving a hijacking try onboard a Liberia bulk service. The vessel had despatched a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by roughly 5 to 6 unknown armed personnel on the night of January 4.
Responding swiftly to the growing scenario, the Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai deployed for Maritime Security Operations to help the vessel.
The plane overflew the vessel within the early morning of January 5 and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the Safety of the crew. Naval plane continues to observe motion and INS Chennai is closing the vessel to render help.
The total scenario is being intently monitored, in coordination with different businesses/ MNF within the space. The Indian Navy stays dedicated to making sure the protection of service provider transport within the area alongside with worldwide companions and pleasant international international locations
