NEW DELHI, Feb 3 (NNN-PTI) – The Indian navy, yesterday said, it had foiled a piracy attempt at sea, off the coast of Somalia and rescued 19 crew members aboard a vessel, hijacked by pirates.
The released crew include 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals.
“INS Sharda intercepted FV Omari in the early hours of Feb 2 (yesterday), and using her integral helicopter and boats, coerced the pirates to safely release the crew, along with the vessel,” an Indian navy spokesperson said.
According to the navy, FV Omari, an Iranian-flagged vessel, had been boarded by seven pirates, who had taken the crew hostage.
“INS Sharda also undertook confirmatory boarding on FV Omari to sanitise and check on the well-being of the crew, who had been held captive by the Somali pirates,” the navy added.
This is the third such operation this week.– NNN-PTI
