TFP Bureau, New Delhi; January 31, 2024: In a commendable display of coordinated multilateral response, the Indian Navy, in collaboration with Seychelles Defence Forces and Sri Lanka Navy, successfully intercepted and rescued a Sri Lankan fishing vessel hijacked by pirates. The incident involved the multiday fishing trawler LORENZO PUTHA 04, which was hijacked about 955 nm east of Mogadishu, Somalia, with three pirates on board.
The hijacked vessel was intercepted in Seychelles EEZ on 29 Jan 24, resulting in the surrender of the pirates to the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), ensuring the safety of all six crew members. The vessel is currently being escorted to Mahe, Seychelles.
Simultaneously, Indian Naval Ship Sumitra thwarted a piracy attempt on FV Iman and conducted another successful anti-piracy operation off the East Coast of Somalia. The vessel rescued Fishing Vessel Al Naeemi and its crew of 19 Pakistani nationals from 11 Somali pirates. INS Sumitra, an indigenous Offshore Patrol Vessel, responded swiftly to distress messages, rescuing the crew of Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel Iman on 29 Jan 24.
Following this, Sumitra intercepted the hijacked Iranian flagged fishing vessel Al Naeemi on the same day, compelling the safe release of the crew and the vessel. In less than 36 hours, INS Sumitra rescued two hijacked fishing vessels along with 36 crew members in the Southern Arabian Sea, preventing the misuse of these vessels as Mother Ships for further acts of piracy on merchant vessels.
These successful operations underscore the Indian Navy’s commitment to combating maritime threats and ensuring the safety of mariners and vessels at sea.
