Net Security Provider In IOR: Indian Navy Secures Iranian Fishing Vessel Hijacked By Pirates, Rescues 23 Pakistani Crew Members

The Indian Navy successfully thwarted a pirate attack in the Arabian Sea, rescuing 23 Pakistani nationals aboard the Iranian fishing vessel 'Al-Kambar 786'.

The operation, which spanned over 12 hours, commenced late on March 28 after Indian Navy was alerted to the potential piracy incident.

"Based on inputs on a potential piracy incident onboard an Iranian Fishing Vessel 'Al-Kambar 786' late evening on March 28, two Indian Naval ships - mission deployed in the Arabian Sea for maritime security operations - were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel," the Navy said in a statement.

"After more than 12 hours 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," it added.

Indian Naval specialist teams then thoroughly sanitised the vessel and checked its seaworthiness in a bid to escort the ship to a safe area for resuming normal fishing activities, the statement added.

INS Sumedha intercepted the fishing vessel (FV), Al-Kambar in the early hours of Friday (29 March) after a distress call was sent out and was subsequently joined by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul.

The fishing vessel was around 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra - an island of Yemen in the Indian Ocean - when nine armed pirates reportedly boarded it.

Earlier this month, the Indian Navy had intercepted a hijacked ship 'Ruen', nearly 2,600 kilometers from the Indian coast, and captured 35 pirates and rescuing 17 crew members in a daring operation without casualties.

In another operation, the Navy responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden, saving 21 crew members after the ship was hit by a missile and caught fire.

The Indian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring maritime security and safeguarding the lives of seafarers in the region, regardless of their nationality.

"The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers, irrespective of nationalities," it said.

Also Read: What Caused Accidental Firing Of BrahMos Missile That Landed In Pakistan? IAF Reveals