The Indian Navy has wreaked havoc on pirates near the east of Somalia.
Navy foils pirate robbery attempt on Iranian fishing vessel. Navy officials said the ship FV Omaril, captured by pirates, has been rescued.
Indian warship INS Sharda was sent to take on the pirates. During the rescue operation, 11 Iranian sailors and eight Pakistani crew members were rescued.
Officials said that the hijacked Iranian ship was carrying seven pirates, who had taken the sailors and crew members hostage.
According to naval officials, Rapid Patrol Aircraft (RPA) of the Indian Navy detected suspicious activity on FV Omari on January 31.
After this INS Sharda was deployed. Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said, “FV Omaril is an Iranian-flagged ship which was boarded by seven pirates and took the sailors and crew members hostage.”
19 people including 8 Pakistanis were rescued
Using its helicopters and boats, INS Sharda freed the hostages from the clutches of the pirates without any loss.
During the successful operation, 19 people including 11 Iranian and 8 Pakistani nationals present on the ship were rescued. After the rescue, a search operation was conducted. In which seven robbers were arrested.
India tightened surveillance
India has now tightened its surveillance of the sea. The Defense Ministry on Friday said that in view of the regional maritime security situation, Indian Naval units are being deployed in Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, the eastern coast of Somalia as well as in the North and Central Arabian Sea for the protection of cargo ships.
Minister of State for Defense Ajay Bhatt, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, said the Navy had deployed its units for anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and the eastern coastal region of Africa since 2008 and has a total of 3,440 ships and more than 25,000 personnel. The sailors were provided security.
Global concerns are growing over attacks on several cargo ships in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi militants since November.
The attacks on cargo ships are believed to be in response to Israeli military attacks in Gaza.
The Minister of State for Defense said in response to a question that the Navy is sharing information with friendly countries to identify sources and participants involved in the attacks.
The Indian Navy has provided assistance to several cargo ships following attacks in the Arabian Sea over the past few weeks.
Bhatt said the Navy is actively working with navies and maritime forces in the region and beyond the region to enhance security in the Indian Ocean region.