Indian Navy thwarts pirates and rescues 23 Pakistani nationals

This news has been read 555 times!

NEW DELHI, India, March 30: In a swift response to a distress call, the Indian Navy launched a successful anti-piracy operation in the Arabian Sea, rescuing an Iranian fishing vessel, Al-Kambar 786, and its crew of 23 Pakistani nationals from the clutches of pirates.

The operation, spanning over 12 hours, began late evening on March 28, when Indian Naval ships, deployed for maritime security operations in the region, were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel. According to a statement issued by the Navy, after intense coercive tactical measures as per standard operating procedures (SOPs), the pirates were compelled to surrender, ensuring the safe rescue of the entire crew.

Following the successful rescue, Indian naval teams thoroughly sanitized the vessel and assessed its seaworthiness to escort it safely, allowing normal fishing activities to resume. The operation showcased the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security and the safety of seafarers in the region.

The distress call originated approximately 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra, an island of Yemen in the Indian Ocean, prompting the swift deployment of INS Sumedha and INS Trishul to intercept the hijacked vessel.

This latest rescue mission follows previous successful operations by the Indian Navy, including the interception of the ship Ruen, thwarting pirate attacks nearly 2,600 km from the Indian coast. In that operation, INS Kolkata forced the surrender of 35 pirates and ensured the safe evacuation of 17 crew members without any injuries.

In another display of maritime vigilance, the Indian Navy promptly responded to a distress call from the Gulf of Aden, where a merchant vessel caught fire after being hit by a missile, rescuing 21 crew members, including an Indian national.

The Indian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring maritime security and the safety of seafarers, underscoring its readiness to respond to any threats or emergencies in the region.

This news has been read 555 times!