Rescuing 19 crews and their vessel from Somali pirates
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GLOBAL, January 30, 2024: Indian Naval Ship ‘Sumitra’ successfully carried out an anti-piracy operation off the East Coast of Somalia, rescuing the Fishing Vessel Al Naeemi and its crew of 19 Pakistani nationals from 11 Somali pirates. The INS Sumitra, an indigenous Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy, was deployed for Anti-Piracy and Maritime Security Operations in the East of Somalia and Gulf of Aden.
On January 28, the warship responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel, FV Iman, by pirates who had taken the crew of 17 Iranian nationals as hostages. The INS Sumitra intercepted the FV and, following standard operating procedures and using coercive tactics, safely rescued the crew in the early hours of January 29.
The FV Iman was then released for onward transit. Subsequently, the INS Sumitra was again called into action to locate and intercept another Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, Al Naeemi, which had been boarded by pirates and had 19 Pakistani nationals as hostages. Responding swiftly, the INS Sumitra intercepted the FV on January 29 and, through coercive tactics and effective deployment of its integral helicopter and boats, compelled the safe release of the crew and the vessel.
The ship also conducted a confirmatory boarding to ensure the safety of the crew who had been held captive by the Somali pirates. In less than 36 hours, the INS Sumitra rescued two hijacked Fishing Vessels and 36 crew members (17 Iranian and 19 Pakistani) in the Southern Arabian Sea, approximately 850 nautical miles west of Kochi.
This operation prevented the misuse of these Fishing Vessels as Mother Ships for further acts of piracy on merchant vessels. The Indian Navy has once again demonstrated its commitment to act against all maritime threats in the region and ensure the safety of all mariners and vessels at sea.
Image: Representation purpose only.
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