Indian Navy rescues Iranian-flagged boat hijacked by pirates

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy warship 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 on Monday, an official statement said.

The Indian Navy said that its warship INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted in accordance with 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 crew members along with the boat.

"A swift response by the Indian Navy's mission-deployed warship ensures the safe release of the hijacked vessel and crew. 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 (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates, and the crew had been taken as hostages," Spokesperson Navy posted on X.

The Iranian fishing vessel MV Iman, with around 17 crew members, was hijacked by Somali pirates. The Fishing Vessel was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit, the Navy said.

"The pirates have been disarmed and asked to move towards Somalia. The INS Sumitra has now moved out of the area. The ALH Dhruv choppers on board the warship had encircled the hijacked vessel to issue warnings to the pirates on board it," Defence officials said.