Updated, Jan. 29, 2024. 7.50 PM.
INS Sumitra, on Anti-Piracy Operations along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel ‘Iman’. The Fishing Vessel had been boarded by pirates and the crew was taken as hostages.
The Navy said in the statement that INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted in accordance with the established Standard Operating Procedures to coerce the pirates for safe release of crew along with the boat and ensured successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat.
The Fishing vessel was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit.
Mission deployed Indian Naval ships on anti-piracy and Maritime Security Operations in the Indian Ocean Region symbolise Indian Navy’s resolve towards safety of all vessels and seafarers at sea.