Representative image (IANS)

The Indian Navy has thwarted the hijacking of a Sri Lankan fishing vessel in an operation carried out in collaboration with the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Sri Lanka Navy.

The ministry of defence (MoD) said that the three pirates surrendered to the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), and all six crew members are safe and the vessel is being escorted to Mahe, Seychelles.

The MoD said that the hijacking incident was reported aboard the Sri Lankan flagged multi-day fishing trawler LORENZO PUTHA 04 about 955 nm east of Mogadishu, Somalia. Three pirates had boarded and hijacked the fishing trawler on Jan 27.

The Indian Navy deployed INS Sharda ex Kochi on Jan 28 and also tasked HALE Sea Guardian to locate and intercept the hijacked fishing vessel.

Additionally, efficient operational coordination and information sharing through the Sri Lanka and Seychelles International Liaison Officers at IFC IOR, New Delhi, resulted in the interception of the hijacked fishing vessel by SCGS Topaz in Seychelles EEZ on Jan 29, an official said.

Saving Pakistani crew

Earlier, Navy officials on Jan 30 said that they had rescued a hijacked fishing vessel ‘Al Naemi’ with 11 Somali armed pirates.

The officials said that the Navy’s Marine Commandos carried out the operation and rescued the crew including 19 Pakistani nationals.

The official said that the navy rescued the vessels through swift, persistent and relentless efforts by the Mission Deployed Indian Navy warship in the Southern Arabian Sea approx 850 nm West of Kochi.

“It also prevented misuse of fishing vessels as Mother Ships for further acts of Piracy on Merchant Vessels,” the officials said.

The officials said that the warship had carried out another successful anti-piracy op off the East Coast of Somalia, rescuing Fishing Vessel Al Naeemi and her Crew (19 Pakistani Nationals) from 11 Somali Pirates.

They said that INS Sumitra, after rescuing MV Iman, was again pressed into action to locate and intercept another Iranian-flagged FV which had been boarded by pirates and her crew taken hostage.

“Sumitra intercepted the FV and through coercive posturing and effective deployment of her integral helo and boats compelled the safe release of the crew and the vessel,” the officials said.

They said that this was the second successful anti-piracy operation by the Indian Navy in the last 24 hours.

The officials said that earlier another swift response by the Indian Navy's Mission Deployed warship ensured the safe release of the hijacked vessel and crew.

(Source: IANS)

- Edited for style

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