Indian Navy warship rescues hijacked Iranian vessel in Gulf of Aden

INS Sumitra responded to a distress call involving the hijacking of a fishing vessel (FV) Iman flying the Iranian flag while conducting anti-piracy operations off the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. The crew of the FV was taken captive when pirates stormed the ship. After intercepting the ship, INS Sumitra followed established protocols to force the pirates to release the crew and the boat safely. This resulted in the successful release of all 17 crew members and the boat. After that, the FV was cleaned and made ready for further travel. The Indian Navy’s determination to ensure the safety of all ships and seafarers at sea is symbolized by the mission’s deployment of Indian Naval ships on anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean region. “INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates and the crew taken as hostages,” the Indian Navy said in a statement. “INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures to coerce the pirates for safe release of crew along with the boat and ensured successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat,” the statement added. Since its height in 2010, piracy has all but disappeared from the region; nevertheless, in light of Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels, it has recently returned. About 700 miles off the coast of India, in December, 18 crew members were on board the Malta-flagged tanker m.v. Ruen when it was taken over by Somali pirates. As of right now, the vessel is off the coast of Somalia. The Indian Navy’s MARCOS (Marine Commandos) successfully prevented a hijacking attempt on the commercial vessel Lila Norfolk in early January by securing and evacuating all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, in the second incident that occurred in the North Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy has increased force levels and significantly improved maritime surveillance operations in the Central and North Arabian Sea in response to these incidents. About twelve of the Indian Navy’s warships are presently in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden conducting anti-piracy and maritime security operations. In order to conduct maritime security operations and support merchant vessels in the event of an emergency, task groups made up of destroyers and frigates have been sent out. Additionally, unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range maritime patrol aircraft have improved aerial surveillance, giving them a comprehensive understanding of the maritime domain. On the high seas, commandos of the Indian Navy are also boarding and searching suspected vessels.