In a swift and decisive response, the Bharat Navy’s INS Sumitra, deployed in the Gulf of Aden, successfully resolved a hijack situation, ensuring the safe release of a hijacked Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) named Iman and its 17 crew members.
The incident unfolded when INS Sumitra received a distress message regarding the hijacking of FV Iman by pirates. Taking immediate action in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures, the naval ship intercepted the vessel and coerced the pirates into releasing the crew and the boat safely. Following the successful operation, the FV was sanitized and allowed to continue its journey.
This event highlights the Bharat Navy’s commitment to anti-piracy operations along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, where piracy incidents have seen a resurgence in recent times.
Piracy in the region had significantly decreased after reaching its peak around 2010. However, recent developments, including Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping, have led to a resurgence of piracy activities. In December, a Malta-flagged tanker, m.v. Ruen, was hijacked by Somali pirates off the Indian coast, and the vessel is currently positioned near the Somali coast.
In a separate incident in the North Arabian Sea in early January, Bharat Navy MARCOS (Marine Commandos) successfully secured and evacuated all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from the merchant vessel Lila Norfolk during a hijacking attempt.
In response to these escalating incidents, the Bharat Navy has significantly enhanced its maritime surveillance efforts in the Central and North Arabian Sea, deploying around 12 warships for anti-piracy and maritime security operations. Task Groups consisting of destroyers and frigates have been tasked with maritime security operations, and aerial surveillance using long-range maritime patrol aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has been intensified to ensure comprehensive maritime domain awareness. Navy commandos are also conducting board and search operations on suspected vessels in high seas.
The successful resolution of the hijacking by INS Sumitra underscores the Bharat Navy’s proactive measures to safeguard maritime security in the region, ensuring the safety of vessels and their crews against piracy threats.
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