The Indian Navy recently played a crucial role in rescuing a Sri Lankan fishing trawler from pirates operating off the coast of Somalia. This incident marked the third thwarted hijacking attempt in as many days. The vessel, named Lorenzo Putha 04 and flying the Sri Lankan flag, fell victim to three pirates near the Mogadishu coast on Saturday.
In response to the distress call, the Indian Navy swiftly deployed its patrol vessel INS Sharada and dispatched Sea Guardian drones to locate the hijacked trawler. Ultimately, the Seychelles Coast Guard successfully intercepted the vessel on Monday, with coordination and information sharing facilitated by liaison officers from Sri Lanka and Seychelles.
All six crew members aboard the hijacked trawler are reported safe, and the vessel is currently under escort to Mahe in Seychelles, as confirmed by the Navy.
This rescue operation underscores the ongoing threat of piracy in the waters surrounding Somalia, which have a long history of such incidents. The region, including the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Sea, has seen an increase in attacks on ships and hijackings, particularly since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Notably, this wasn’t the only intervention by the Indian Navy in the region. Just a day earlier, on Monday, the INS Sumitra, an Indian warship, successfully rescued 19 Pakistani sailors who were held hostage by 11 pirates aboard the fishing vessel FV Al Naeemi off the east coast of Somalia.
These incidents highlight the vital role played by naval forces in combating piracy and ensuring maritime security in the troubled waters of the region.
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