In a swift action, Indian Navy's Warship INS Sumitra, successfully rescued all 17 crew members of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman, that was hijacked by pirates along the East Coast of Somalia and Gulf of Aden.

According to the Indian Navy post on X, INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted following the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat.

It ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat.

The FV was sanitised and released for onward transit.

"#INSSumitra, on #AntiPiracy ops along East coast of #Somalia & #GulfofAden, responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates & the crew taken as hostages. #Sumitra intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for safe release of crew along with the boat & ensured successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat. The FV was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit,” the Indian Navy on X said.

It may be mentioned that on January 27, fire fighting team from INS Visakhapatnam successfully brought under control the fire onboard MV Marlin Luanda after battling the inferno for six hours.

(With UNI Inputs)