Soon after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the United Nations that piracy off the Gulf of Aden was leading to a state of siege, the Indian Navy helped fend off piracy in the same area.
“Naval warship INS Sukanya thwarted the piracy attempts by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday morning and September 20. In a swift operation, the Naval warship saved the two merchant vessels MV Fairchem Bronco and MV Conquerer on Sunday,” officials said here on Monday.
INS Sukanya, currently on anti-piracy operations, spotted two high speed pirate boats approaching merchant vessels in the early hours on Sunday. The warship initially ordered the vessels to maintain a safe distance from the merchant vessel, which, they felt, was under a hijacking threat.
Warning unheeded
When the warning in pitch darkness went unheeded, marine commandos on speed boats were launched to take stock of the situation and to ensure the safety of merchant vessels.
“The action took place in darkness but the commandos successfully neutralised the pirates and seized the arms and ammunition, including communication equipment. The pirates were also carrying ropes and a ladder to board the merchant vessels,” said the officials.
The two merchant ships were later safely escorted out of the area.
