Amidst the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea caused by ship attacks by Houthis headquartered in Yemen, the Indian Navy has stepped up its anti-piracy operations and showcased remarkable prowess with not one but two successful rescue operations.
The Navy’s INS Sumitra carried out a daring anti-piracy mission off the east coast of Somalia on January 28 saving a crew of 19 Pakistani nationals from the clutches of 11 Somali pirates on the hijacked fishing vessel Al Naeemi.
This followed another daring mission on January 29, where the Navy rescued 17 crew members from the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel FV Iman.
These events mark the most recent in a string of marine mishaps that have occurred in the Arabian Sea since December of last year.
Challenges ranging from drone and missile assaults on commercial vessels to piracy have been prevalent in the region. The oil tanker Marlin Luanda, flagged in the Marshall Islands, was the target of the most recent missile strike.
In addition, the Indian Navy reported that it had joined an international effort to liberate a six-person crewed Sri Lankan fishing vessel that had been hijacked east of Mogadishu, Somalia.
Indian Navy Fights Piracy
Armed with determination, the INS Sumitra intercepted the distressed Al Naeemi and successfully neutralized the pirate menace. The Navy forced the pirates to guarantee the safe release of the 19 Pakistani crew members and the ship itself by adhering to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The crew who had been taken captive by the Somali pirates was thereafter subjected to confirmatory boarding in order to clean and evaluate their condition.
Both rescue operations unfolded in the southern Arabian Sea, approximately 850 nautical miles west of Kochi.
In a statement, the Navy declared, “INS Sumitra, over the course of less than 36 hours, through swift, persistent and relentless efforts has rescued two hijacked Fishing Vessels along with 36 Crew (17 Iranian and 19 Pakistani) in Southern Arabian Sea approximately 850 nm West of Kochi, and prevented misuse of these Fishing Vessels as Mother Ships for further acts of Piracy on Merchant Vessels.”
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar praised the Indian Navy’s aggressive actions to protect the maritime channel, attributing India’s “greater capability,” “influence,” and “reputation” to its first responder role in the maritime crisis.
In the waters east of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, the indigenous offshore patrol ship INS Sumitra has been actively engaged in anti-piracy and maritime security operations. The Navy’s prompt action in foiling attempted hijacking and saving sailors demonstrates its dedication to upholding law and order in these vital maritime areas.
