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NEW DELHI: Responding to yet another piracy attack, the Indian Navy on Friday intercepted an Iranian fishing vessel Al- Kambar 786 in the Arabian Sea after diverting two warships for the maritime security mission.
The fishing vessel was reportedly boarded by nine armed pirates around 90 nautical miles south-west of Socotra late on Thursday. “Based on inputs, two Indian warships deployed in Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the fishing vessel,” an officer said.
“The vessel was intercepted on Friday.The operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of the hijacked fishing vessel and its crew,” he added.
The Navy on March 23 completed 100 days of stepped-up “maritime security operations” under the aegis of “Operation Sankalp” in the Gulf of Aden and adjoining areas, Arabian Sea, and off the east coast of Somalia amid the continuing attacks by Houthi rebels and Somali pirates that have disrupted sea trade in the region. “Piracy has resurfaced as an industry to gain from the disorder in the region (Israel-Hamas conflict),” Navy chief Admiral R hari Kumar said.
The stepped-up naval deployments since mid-December have involved over 5,000 personnel at sea, over 450 “ship days” with 21 warships, and 900 hours of flying by maritime surveillance aircraft to address threats in the region. “During this time, the Navy has responded to 18 incidents and played a pivotal role as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the IOR,” another officer said.
“With over 110 lives saved (including 45 Indian seafarers), 15 lakh tons of critical commodities escorted, nearly 1,000 boarding operations undertaken, more than 3,000 kg of narcotics seized and over 450 merchant vessels assured of our presence, the ongoing maritime security operations have truly reflected Indian Navy’s capability in playing a vital role as a strong and a responsible force in the IOR,” he added.
The fishing vessel was reportedly boarded by nine armed pirates around 90 nautical miles south-west of Socotra late on Thursday. “Based on inputs, two Indian warships deployed in Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the fishing vessel,” an officer said.
“The vessel was intercepted on Friday.The operation is currently underway by the Indian Navy towards rescue of the hijacked fishing vessel and its crew,” he added.
The Navy on March 23 completed 100 days of stepped-up “maritime security operations” under the aegis of “Operation Sankalp” in the Gulf of Aden and adjoining areas, Arabian Sea, and off the east coast of Somalia amid the continuing attacks by Houthi rebels and Somali pirates that have disrupted sea trade in the region. “Piracy has resurfaced as an industry to gain from the disorder in the region (Israel-Hamas conflict),” Navy chief Admiral R hari Kumar said.
The stepped-up naval deployments since mid-December have involved over 5,000 personnel at sea, over 450 “ship days” with 21 warships, and 900 hours of flying by maritime surveillance aircraft to address threats in the region. “During this time, the Navy has responded to 18 incidents and played a pivotal role as the ‘First Responder’ and ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the IOR,” another officer said.
“With over 110 lives saved (including 45 Indian seafarers), 15 lakh tons of critical commodities escorted, nearly 1,000 boarding operations undertaken, more than 3,000 kg of narcotics seized and over 450 merchant vessels assured of our presence, the ongoing maritime security operations have truly reflected Indian Navy’s capability in playing a vital role as a strong and a responsible force in the IOR,” he added.
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