In a successful anti-piracy operation, the Bharat Navy’s warship INS Sumitra rescued 19 crew members and a vessel from armed Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, according to a spokesperson. The vessel targeted in this operation was the FV Iman, an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel. The INS Sumitra thwarted the piracy attempt, rescuing both the fishing vessel and 19 Pakistani nationals from 11 Somali pirates.
This operation followed a prior success where the INS Sumitra rescued the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Iman, with 17 crew members, from Somali pirates along the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. The Indian Navy highlighted the use of established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to coerce the pirates into releasing the crew and ensuring the safe release of the vessel.
After the first rescue, the INS Sumitra was once again deployed to intercept another Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, FV Iman, that had been boarded by pirates. Acting swiftly, the INS Sumitra, with the deployment of its integral helicopter and boats, compelled the safe release of the crew and the vessel. The rescue took place approximately 850 nautical miles west of Kochi in the Southern Arabian Sea.
The Bharat Navy emphasized the importance of these swift and persistent efforts to prevent the misuse of fishing vessels as mother ships for further acts of piracy on merchant vessels.
Swift Response to Distress Call and Ongoing Efforts
The distress call from the Iranian fishing vessel Iman was swiftly responded to by the INS Sumitra on Sunday night. The vessel had been hijacked by pirates, and the crew members were taken hostage. The Bharat Navy’s immediate response led to the successful sanitization and release of the vessel for onward transit.
The Bharat Navy’s ongoing efforts in the region, particularly its anti-piracy and maritime security operations, reflect its commitment to the safety of all vessels and seafarers at sea. This commitment was also demonstrated in recent incidents, including the extinguishing of a fire onboard a commercial oil tanker by INS Visakhapatnam and the thwarting of an attempted hijacking of the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk.
The Bharat Navy’s proactive stance comes in the wake of increased maritime security concerns, including a drone attack on MV Chem Pluto and a suspected drone strike on another commercial oil tanker in the Southern Red Sea.
Enhanced Deployment for Maritime Security
The Bharat Navy has responded to the evolving maritime environment by enhancing the deployment of its frontline ships and surveillance aircraft. This strategic move aims to bolster maritime security operations in critical sea lanes, especially in the north and central Arabian Sea, ensuring the safety and security of maritime activities in the region.
Comments