On 29 March, the Indian Navy rescued a hijacked Iranian fishing vessel (FV) with 23 Pakistani nationals on board as part of an anti-piracy operation in the Arabian Sea. Defence officials informed that nine pirates who surrendered in the operation are being brought to India.
The Rescue
The Indian Navy responded to the piracy attack on Iranian Vessel Al-Kambar in the Arabian Sea, with INS Sumedha intercepting the hijacked FV on 29 March, and launching an operation to rescue the crew. Guided missile frigate INS Trishul also joined the operation.
Successful Anti-Piracy Operation by the #IndianNavy.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 30, 2024
After successfully forcing surrender of the nine armed pirates, #IndianNavy’s specialist teams have completed sanitisation & seaworthiness checks of FV Al-Kambar.
The crew comprising 23 Pakistani nationals were given a thorough… https://t.co/APEyIWmU9e pic.twitter.com/c6TbfL4Jrc
The vessel was hijacked on 28 March, approximately 90nm southwest of the Socotra archipelago, which is in the northwest Indian Ocean in the Gulf of Aden. The Indian Navy conducted 12 hours of “intensive coercive tactical measures” as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), forcing the pirates onboard the hijacked vessel to surrender. The Navy’s specialist teams thoroughly sanitised the FV and checked it for its seaworthiness.
The crew was comprised 23 Pakistani nationals, who were safely rescued. They were seen chanting “India Zindabad” (Hail India) slogans and thanking the Indian Navy team for their rescue in a video posted by the Navy. After a thorough medical checkup, they were allowed to continue with their fishing activities.
The pirates captured in the operation are being brought to India for legal action in accordance with the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022.
Somali Piracy, Indian Navy’s Response
“The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring maritime security in the region and the safety of seafarers, irrespective of nationalities,” the Navy spokesperson said. This is the latest incident of piracy in the Arabian Sea, which has resurged since the beginning of Houthi attacks on vessels traversing the waters. According to the Navy, over 90 maritime incidents, with 57 drone or missile attacks or sightings and 39 hijacking or piracy incidents, have taken place from November to March this year.
Recently, India rescued the hijacked vessel MV Ruen in a 40-hour operation, capturing 35 Somali pirates, further cementing its role as the “First Responder” in the Indian Ocean Region. The Navy has swiftly responded to these attacks, saving over 110 lives (including 45 Indians and 65 foreign nationals) in the anti-piracy, anti-missile and anti-drone actions under “Operation Sankalp.”