NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy successfully rescued a hijacked Iranian fishing vessel manned by a 23-member Pakistani crew.
Employing “intense coercive tactical measures” during the 12-hour operation, the Indian Navy ensured the safe retrieval of both the ship and its crew.
Specialized teams from the Indian Navy were conducting sanitation procedures on the Iranian vessel, while also assessing its seaworthiness.
Following these checks, the ship will be escorted to its intended destination, enabling it to resume its routine fishing operations thereafter.
According to the Navy’s announcement, INS Sumedha intercepted the Iranian-flagged FV AI-Kambar on March 29, later receiving support from the guided missile frigate INS Trishul.
The Indian Navy reported that the pirates aboard the vessel were compelled to surrender, resulting in the successful rescue of the Pakistani crew.
“After more than 12 hrs of intense coercive tactical measures as per the SOPs, the pirates on board the hijacked FV were forced to surrender. The crew, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, have been safely rescued,” it said.
“Indian Naval specialist teams are presently undertaking thorough sanitisation and seaworthiness checks of the FV in order to escort her to a safe area for resuming normal fishing activities,” the Navy added.