In collaboration with the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Sri Lanka Navy, the Indian Navy intercepted and rescued a Sri Lankan fishing vessel hijacked by Somali pirates, stated the Navy. Three pirates surrendered to the Seychelles Coast Guard, ensuring the safety of all six crew members, while the vessel is being escorted to Mahe in Seychelles.
On January 27, a hijacking incident occurred aboard the Sri Lankan-flagged multi-day fishing trawler Lorenzo Putha 04, approximately 955 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia. Three pirates boarded and hijacked the fishing trawler. Responding swiftly, the Navy deployed INS Sharda on January 28 and tasked HALE Sea Guardian with locating and intercepting the hijacked fishing vessel.
“Additionally, efficient operational coordination and information sharing through the Sri Lanka and Seychelles international liaison officers at the Information Fusion Centre, Indian Ocean Region, New Delhi , resulted in the interception of the hijacked fishing vessel by SCGS Topaz in Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone on 29 January,” the Navy said in a statement. This is the Navy’s third successful anti-piracy operation in the last three days.
Earlier, the Navy successfully rescued 19 Pakistani nationals from 11 Somali pirates who had hijacked the fishing vessel Al Naeemi. Additionally, the INS Sumitra intervened in a piracy attempt on the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel FV Iman, securing the safe release of its 17 crew members. These incidents add to a series of recent maritime events, including piracy and attacks on commercial vessels, in the Arabian Sea since December last year. Notably, last week, the Marlin Luanda, an oil tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag, was targeted in a missile attack.