NB Explains | Navy's INS Sumitra carries out 2 anti-piracy ops hijacked by Somali pirates, rescues 36 crew including Pak nationals
INS Sumitra, over less than 36 hours, through swift, persistent, and relentless efforts rescued two hijacked fishing vessels along with 36 crew from Somali pirates in the Southern Arabian Sea.
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New Delhi, Jan 30: In less than 36 hours, the Indian Navy's warship INS Sumitra has carried out a second successful anti-piracy operation rescuing 19 crew members and a vessel from armed Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea. On Sunday night, INS Sumitra safely rescued the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Iman from Somali pirates, which had 17 crew members onboard in its anti-piracy operations along the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden
The Indian Navy said its warship INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted by the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat, and ensured the successful release of all 17 Iranian nationals along with the boat.
In 1st Operation, the Indian Navy Rescues 17 Iranian Nationals
INS Sumitra, Indian Navy’s indigenous Offshore Patrol Vessel, had been deployed for anti-piracy and maritime security operations East of Somalia and Gulf of Aden. This came after the Indian warship had responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel Iman, which had been boarded by pirates & the crew taken as hostages.
Swift response by #IndianNavy's Mission Deployed warship ensures safe release of hijacked vessel & crew.#INSSumitra, on #AntiPiracy ops along East coast of #Somalia & #GulfofAden, responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV)… pic.twitter.com/AQTkcTJvQo
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 29, 2024
The Indian Navy said its warship INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted by the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat, and ensured the successful release of all 17 Iranian nationals along with the boat.
In 2nd operation, Indian Navy rescues 19 Pakistani nationals
INS Sumitra carried out yet another successful anti-piracy operation off the East Coast of Somalia, rescuing Fishing Vessel Al Naeemi and 19 Pakistani nationals from 11 Somali Pirates. It was again pressed into action, to locate and intercept another Iranian flagged fishing vessel Al Naeemi. Responding swiftly to the developing situation, INS Sumitra intercepted the FV and rescued onoard vessels.
#INSSumitra Carries out 2nd Successful #AntiPiracy Ops – Rescuing 19 Crew members & Vessel from Somali Pirates.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 30, 2024
Having thwarted the Piracy attempt on FV Iman, the warship has carried out another successful anti-piracy ops off the East Coast of Somalia, rescuing Fishing Vessel Al… https://t.co/QZz9bCihaU pic.twitter.com/6AonHw51KX
INS Sumitra, over less than 36 hours, through swift, persistent and relentless efforts has rescued two hijacked fishing vessels along with 36 crew in Southern Arabian Sea approximately 850 nm West of Kochi, and "prevented misuse of these Fishing Vessels as Mother Ships for further acts of Piracy on Merchant Vessels"
Rising Piracy Attacks in the Arabian Sea
The Indian Navy, in the last few months, has been on alert due to the constant hijacking by pirates happening in the Arabian Sea. According to data published by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, the region accounted for almost 700 pirate attacks during 2008-13, but the figure dropped rapidly to just 16 during 2014-19, according to data published by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta - the EU maritime security operation in the western Indian Ocean.
The first piracy attempt in the region in the last three years was reported in December 2023. One of the reasons is increasing tensions in and around the Red Sea following attacks on merchant vessels by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and trouble has reached the Arabian Sea, too. Several ships targeted in the area had Indian crews on board or were headed to the country’s shores.
The first piracy attempt in the region in the last three years was reported in December 2023. One of the reasons is increasing tensions in and around the Red Sea following attacks on merchant vessels by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and trouble has reached the Arabian Sea, too. Several ships targeted in the area had Indian crews on board or were headed to the country’s shores.
Also Read: Indian Navy responds swiftly against hijacking in Arabian Sea; rescues Malta vessel with 18 crew members onboard
The Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. Several shipping companies have suspended their operations in the Red Sea following the Houthi attacks, which has forced mariners to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.
Speaking on the same, Dr Jaishankar, who was in Iran on January 15, flagged concerns about the increase in threats to maritime traffic in the region including attacks in the vicinity of the Indian coast with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
The Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. Several shipping companies have suspended their operations in the Red Sea following the Houthi attacks, which has forced mariners to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.
Speaking on the same, Dr Jaishankar, who was in Iran on January 15, flagged concerns about the increase in threats to maritime traffic in the region including attacks in the vicinity of the Indian coast with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Also Read: #SecurityScan 70: Indian Navy's deployment of Warships in Arabian sea and more
The growing threats to commercial shipping in the region were also discussed during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in India for the Republic Day celebrations.
The growing threats to commercial shipping in the region were also discussed during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in India for the Republic Day celebrations.