Indian Navy rescued 23 Pakistani nationals from Somali pirates during a 12-hour-long-Arabian Sea operation on Friday. The incident occurred when Indian Navy warship INS Sumedha caught the hijacked vessel ‘FV A1-Kambar’ during the early hours of March 29.
Indian Navy Responds to Piracy Attack in the Arabian Sea. Inputs received on a potential piracy incident onboard Iranian Fishing Vessel ‘Al-Kambar’ late evening on 28 March 2024, approx 90 nautical miles South West of Socotra. Two Indian Naval ships, mission deployed in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the hijacked FV, reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates. The hijacked FV has been intercepted on 29 March 2024.
#INSSumedha intercepted FV Al-Kambar during early hours of #29Mar 24 & was joined subsequently by the guided missile frigate #INSTrishul.
After more than 12 hrs of intense coercive tactical measures as per the SOPs, the pirates on board the hijacked FV were forced to surrender.… https://t.co/2q3Ihgk1jn pic.twitter.com/E2gtTDHVKu
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 29, 2024
INS Sumedha intercepted FV Al-Kambar during early hours of 29 March 2024 and was joined subsequently by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul. After more than 12 hrs of intense coercive tactical measures as per the SOPs, the pirates on board the hijacked FV were forced to surrender. The crew, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, have been safely rescued. Indian Naval specialist teams are presently undertaking thorough sanitisation and seaworthiness checks of the FV in order to escort her to a safe area for resuming normal fishing activities.
In an official statement, the Indian Navy said, “We remain committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and safety of seafarers, irrespective of nationalities.”
The Navy will now bring the nine Somali pirates involved in the hijacking of an Iranian fishing vessel with 23 Pakistani crew to India, the officials said as quoted by ANI.
