Indian Navy foils another piracy attempt, rescues Iranian, Pakistani nationals

KOCHI: The Indian Navy foiled a piracy attempt and freed 19 crew members of vessel FV Omaril who were held hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia. The rescue operation was carried out by INS Sarada from Kochi.

On the night of January 31, pirates boarded the Iranian vessel with 11 Iranians and 8 Pakistanis on board.

The surveillance and rescue mission ship Sharada intercepted the vessel yesterday morning after receiving the distress message. A message was sent to the pirates to release the hostages. The naval commandos who rushed from the ship in a rescue boat, boarded the ship and freed all the 19 hostages. This is the third piracy attempt foiled by the Indian Navy in a week.