INS Sumitra Successfully Rescues 19 Crew Members and Vessel from Somali Pirates

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th Jan. The Indian Naval Ship Sumitra has successfully carried out another anti-piracy operation off the East Coast of Somalia, rescuing the Fishing Vessel Al Naeemi and its crew of 19 Pakistani nationals from 11 Somali pirates. This comes after the ship thwarted a piracy attempt on the FV Iman.

The INS Sumitra, an indigenous offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, was deployed for anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the East of Somalia and Gulf of Aden. On January 28, in response to a distress message about the hijacking of the Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel Iman, the INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and safely rescued its crew of 17 Iranian nationals on January 29. The FV Iman was then released for onward transit.

Following this, the INS Sumitra was again called into action to locate and intercept the Iranian flagged fishing vessel Al Naeemi, which had been boarded by pirates and its crew of 19 Pakistani nationals taken hostage. The Sumitra swiftly intercepted the vessel on January 29 and through effective deployment of its helicopter and boats, compelled the safe release of the crew and the vessel. The ship also conducted a confirmatory boarding to ensure the well-being of the captive crew.

In less than 36 hours, the INS Sumitra has successfully rescued two hijacked fishing vessels and a total of 36 crew members (17 Iranians and 19 Pakistanis) in the Southern Arabian Sea, approximately 850 nm West of Kochi. These operations have prevented the misuse of these fishing vessels as mother ships for further acts of piracy on merchant vessels.

The Indian Navy has once again demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the safety of all mariners and vessels at sea by taking action against maritime threats in the region.