9 pirates involved in hijacking of Iranian vessel being brought to India

NEW DELHI, Mar 30: After rescuing the hijacked Iranian Fishing Vessel Al-Kambar and its 23 Pakistani national crew, the surrendered nine armed Somali pirates were being brought to India for further legal action, the Indian Navy said on Saturday.

The legal action will be taken in accordance with the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2002.

After successfully forcing the surrender of the nine armed pirates, the Indian Navy’s specialist teams completed the sanitisation and seaworthiness checks of FV Al-Kambar.

The crew, comprising of 23 Pakistani nationals, was given a thorough medical checkup prior to clearing the boat to continue with her fishing activities.

On Friday, INS Sumedha intercepted the vessel and was subsequently joined by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul. After more than 12 hours of intense coercive tactical measures as per the SOPs, the armed pirates on board the hijacked vessel were forced to surrender, the Indian Navy added.

The vessel was hijacked late Thursday evening, about 90 nm south-west of Socotra. After receiving the inputs, the Indian Navy diverted its two naval ships deployed in the Arabian Sea for Maritime Security Operations to intercept the hijacked FV. (UNI)