Sunayna, a patrol vessel of Southern Naval Command, deployed on anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden has seized arms and ammunition from a fishing vessel off the coast of Somalia.
Four high caliber AK-47s and one Light Machine Gun, along with ammunition for these weapons were seized from the vessel which was found engaged in illegal fishing in the area on December 7.
The fishing vessel was detected approximately 25 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia, in the vicinity of Socotra island, following which the operation was launched, according to Southern Naval Command.
In fact, the patrol vessel had been in the Gulf of Aden since October 6, 2018. The vessel was thoroughly searched and allowed to proceed, after confiscation of the arms and ammunition, to prevent their illegal use later by the crew for piracy-related activities.
There was no resistance when the operation was carried out. The seized arms and ammunitions would be deposited in the armoury of Western Naval Command or Southern Naval Command for further disposal on return of the patrol ship. The incident reiterated the commitment of the Indian Navy towards ensuring safe seas for Indian, as well as international, seafarers in the Indian Ocean region, particularly the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia, the release added.
