Indian Navy’s INS Sumitra rescues hijacked fishing Vessel

On Monday, the Indian Navy's INS Sumitra successfully rescued a hijacked Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) named ‘Iman’ with 17 crew members, from the Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea.

Deployed on anti-piracy operations along the East Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, INS Sumitra, swiftly responded to a distress message and intercepted the hijacked vessel.

Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal stated "INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations along the East Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel Iman. The vessel had been boarded by pirates and the crew was taken as hostages.”

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the naval commandos, known as MARCOS were employed, which forced the pirates to abandon the fishing vessel, resulting in the safe release of all 17 crew members along with the boat.

As per Sources, An Advanced Light Helicopter, Dhruv helicopter on board INS Sumitra issued warnings to the pirates while circling the hijacked vessel, forcing the pirates to deboard the ship, leaving behind all their weapons. With no escape route, the pirates de-boarded the Iranian ship and escaped in their skiff boat.Then, MARCOS personnel boarded the vessel to ensure it was free of any threats. Following the clearance, the Iranian fishing vessel was allowed to continue its journey.

INS Sumitra, swiftly responded to a distress message and intercepted the hijacked vessel.

This incident is part of a concerning series of attacks in the region, including drone and pirate attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea and segments of the Arabian Sea. Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones, leading to heightened tensions and disruptions in maritime operations. In response to the escalating threats, the Indian Navy has significantly increased its surveillance system in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Also Read: Indian Navy impedes Arabian Sea highjack, safely rescues cre (vygrnews.com)

As per the reports of the International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau, there has been a rise in armed robberies, alerting for the need for increased security measures. With armed attacks on vessels increasing from 115 in 2022 to 120 in 2023, the Indian Navy's proactive efforts play a crucial role in maintaining the security of the Indian Ocean region.