Curated By: Shankhyaneel Sarkar
News18.com
Last Updated: March 29, 2024, 21:30 IST
Arabian Sea
This photo released by the Indian Navy shows pirates aboard an Iranian fishing vessel. Operation is on to intercept the vessel and rescue the ship and the crew. (Image: @indiannavy/X)
The Indian Navy is responding to a potential piracy attack on an Iranian fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea, the Navy spokesperson said in a series of posts on its X account. The Indian Navy on Friday diverted two naval ships to intercept the hijacked vessel after receiving inputs regarding a potential piracy incident on-board Iranian fishing vessel ‘Al Kambar’.
#IndianNavy Responds to Piracy Attack in the #ArabianSea.Inputs received on a potential piracy incident onboard Iranian Fishing Vessel 'Al-Kambar' late evening on #28Mar 24, approx 90 nm South West of Socotra.Two Indian Naval ships, mission deployed in the #ArabianSea for… pic.twitter.com/PdEZiCAu3t
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 29, 2024
At the time of the incident, the Iranian fishing vessel was approximately 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra and nine armed pirates had boarded the fishing vessel. The hijacked vessel was intercepted on March 29.
The Indian Navy has launched an operation to rescue the hijacked fishing vessel and its crew which is currently underway.
“The hijacked FV was intercepted on March 29, 2024. The operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of hijacked FV & its crew,” the Indian Navy said in a post on social media site X.
“The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and safety of seafarers, irrespective of their nationalities,” the Indian Navy further added.
The Indian Navy has carried out several operations to thwart piracy in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Earlier this month, the Indian Navy intercepted the pirate-besieged MV Ruen and freed it from the clasps of Somalian pirates by forcing them to surrender.
The INS Kolkata coerced all 35 pirates to surrender and safely evacuated the 17 crew members from the merchant vessel which pirates were using as a mother ship.
The Indian Navy earlier this year also responded to a distress call from the Gulf of Aden where a merchant vessel was set ablaze after being hit by a missile. The navy rescued the 21 crew members which also contained one Indian national.
“The Indian Navy is committed to maintaining maritime security and ensuring the safety of seafarers navigating through these perilous waters. This action by the Indian Navy serves as a testament to India’s resolve to combat piracy and uphold international maritime laws,” The Indian Navy said in a statement.