In a recent escalation of tensions in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, spurred by the ongoing Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, piracy has surged.
Amid these rising threats, the Indian Navy announced a significant operation on Saturday that led to the liberation of an Iranian fishing vessel, the “Al Kamber 786”, hijacked by nine armed pirates in the Arabian Sea.
The crew, consisting of 23 Pakistanis, was rescued unharmed after a tense encounter that lasted more than 12 hours.
The operation, which began on Friday evening, involved two Indian naval ships and resulted in the pirates’ surrender without causing any harm to the crew members.
The Navy’s statement highlighted that the vessel was intercepted southwest of the Yemeni island of Socotra on March 28 when pirates boarded it.
In the aftermath of the rescue, specialized teams are conducting thorough inspections and verifications of the fishing vessel’s seaworthiness to ensure it can resume its normal fishing activities safely.
This incident marks the 18th piracy case the Indian Navy has dealt with recently. Last week, the Navy disclosed its engagement in countering piracy by deploying 21 ships and rotating a personnel strength of 5,000, boarding over 1,000 vessels for checks.
An unprecedented deployment of more than ten warships on certain days underscored the Navy’s intensified presence in the region.
The Indian Navy’s proactive stance and successful interventions are a testament to its commitment to ensuring the safety of maritime activities and combating piracy, a growing concern in the strategic waters off the Yemeni coast.
