Indian Navy and International Anti-Piracy Ops

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 23 Nov 2009 16:08

India deploys warship off Seychelles coast to counter piracy

“The Indian Navy has deployed INS Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel with a Chetak helicopter and Marine Commandos, for the surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zone of Seychelles and Mauritius till early January next year,” a Navy spokesperson said here.

INS Savitri would be deployed in close coordination with the ships and aircraft of Seychelles Coast Guard and the Mauritian National Coast Guard. “The presence of this ship will help in deterring piracy in these areas,” he said.

Craig Alpert · Post by **Craig Alpert** » 25 Nov 2009 03:59

India's INS Savitri Patrol Vessel Steams Off For Anti-Piracy Posture - LIVEFIST

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 25 Nov 2009 15:50

Kudos to the IN!

Indian Navy awarded for its role in fighting piracy

H S Rao/PTI / London November 25, 2009, 14:17 IST

Commending the role of Indian navy in fighting pirates at the Gulf of Aden, the world's maritime controlling agency has awarded a special certificate to the forces.
Related Stories
- Global action forcing pirates to Indian Ocean: Ban
- HSL to build Rs 4,000 cr shipyard in AP or Orissa
- Responsibilities on Indian Navy increased after 26/11: Verma
- India, Russia close to final testing of air-launched BrahMos
- Navy to undergo infrastructural development soon: Admiral
- Boeing rolls out P-8A Poseidon; India to be first buyer

A special 'Certificate of Commendation' was presented to the navy, which had deployed twelve ships off the coast of Somalia till July 2009 by the London-based UN agency, International Maritime Organisation.

Commodore P K Banerjee, Naval Adviser in London and also the commanding officer of one of the warships, which took part in international anti-piracy patrols received the award from E E Mitropoulos, IMO Secretary General at a ceremony held here.

Nalin Surie, the High Commissioner of India to UK, Georg Boomgaarden, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany and President of IMO Assembly, were among dignitaries present on the occasion.

Indian naval ships have escorted about 700 merchant ships, including 600 foreign-flagged vessels from over 45 countries, during anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since October 2008.

The award ceremony coincided with the inauguration of the 26th Regular Session of the IMO Assembly here.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/ ... y/79149/on

Nikhil T · Post by **Nikhil T** » 07 Dec 2009 17:03

IBNLive is reporting that Indian Navy has rescued a ship from pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 07 Dec 2009 19:40

IN foils piracy attempt off Gulf of Aden

The Indian Navy ship, on an anti-piracy patrol in one of the busiest sea lanes in the Gulf of Aden, got a distress signal at around 3 am.

“As pirates started approaching the Norwegian tanker it sent out a distress message. And we immediately launched a helicopter to thwart the attempt,” said a Navy spokesperson.

“The helicopter prevented the piracy attempt, and in the meantime the Indian Navy warship arrived in the area,” said the official.

A Navy warship has been patrolling the piracy-infested Gulf of Aden since last year and has thwarted several piracy attempts on Indian-flagged ships and vessels of other countries.

Aditya G · Post by **Aditya G** » 15 Dec 2009 00:46

Not exactly piracy but related

Jamal K. Malik wrote:Indian Navy recovers two Coast Guard Sailors from Sri Lankan fishing vessel
On 08 Dec 09, Indian Coast Guard Ships Priyadarshini and Sarang apprehended seven Sri Lankan fishing boats poaching in Indian waters. The ship was thereafter escorting the SL boats to Visakhapatnam, with two Coast Guard sailors on each boat. On the night of 09/10 Dec 09, whilst on passage, the two Coast Guard sailors positioned on a boat, Win Marine, were overpowered under knife attack, and the boat slipped away with the two CG sailors on board.
Is it a joke?

shravan · Post by **shravan** » 20 Dec 2009 21:32

Indian Navy foils piracy attempt in Gulf of Aden

December 20, 2009 18:30 IST

New Delhi: The Indian Navy has foiled a piracy attempt in the Gulf of Aden by stopping a suspected pirate skiff from taking over a merchant vessel.

"Around 1730 hours on Saturday, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Godavari received a distress call from a Cayman Island-registered vessel 'MV Soderling Ace' about sighting a white skiff approaching her. Located around two miles from the vessel, the ship immediately launched a 'Chetak' helicopter towards it," Navy officials said here.

After reaching the area, the 'Chetak' sighted the suspected white skiff with around seven men on it, and fired warning shots, which made the skiff stop there, they added.

After closing in and boarding the skiff, Navy troops did not find any piracy triggers such as weapons and ladders on it.

"They must have dropped their weapons in the sea after seeing the Navy chopper coming towards them," officials said.

After investigations, the navy released the seven suspected pirates along with their boat as no weapons or other suspicious items were found with them, they added.

Earlier this month, the Navy had thwarted an attempt by pirates to hijack a US-owned tanker in the area off Somalia's coast. For more than a year now, the Indian Navy has deployed its assets in the Gulf of Aden from anti-piracy operations, and has escorted over 700 merchant vessels from 45 countries there during this period.

Meanwhile, after completing its stipulated tenure in the pirate-infested gulf, the 'INS Godavari' will be heading back to India, and will be replaced by another Godavari-class guided missile frigate, 'INS Ganga', officials said.

Aditya G · Post by **Aditya G** » 20 Dec 2009 22:29

So it seems that this was not a piracy attempt?

nithish · Post by **nithish** » 21 Dec 2009 04:06

shravan wrote:Indian Navy foils piracy attempt in Gulf of Aden

Livefist has a couple of pics of the incident...

Aditya G · Post by **Aditya G** » 27 Dec 2009 13:29

Details on the IN-CG operation to free two CG sailors taken prisoner aboard Win Marine:

http://www.stratpost.com/indian-navy-wa ... -fishermen

Indian Navy waiting to arrest poaching Lankan fishermen
Saturday, December 12, 2009
By Saurabh Joshi

The Indian Navy has positioned itself in the difficult weather conditions of the Bay of Bengal to guard the Sri Lankan fishing vessel and crew that intruded into the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Tuesday. This comes after two armed Indian Coast Guard sailors, who had been over-powered and taken captive by the Sri Lankan crew they had been guarding after the intrusion, were released on Friday.

According to a statement made by the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard Ships Priyadarshini and Sarang apprehended seven Sri Lankan fishing boats poaching in Indian waters on Tuesday. The poaching vessels were thereafter under escort to Visakhapatnam, with two Coast Guard sailors on each boat, when on Wednesday night, the two sailors on the vessel Win Marine were overpowered under knife attack, and the boat slipped away with them on board.

The vessel was located again on Friday morning approximately 200 kms east of Chennai and the two Coast Guard sailors were recovered safely by the Indian Navy, without any casualties. According to naval sources, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard had deployed Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft which located the vessel, following which, at least three large vessels of the Indian Navy closed in on the Win Marine. The Sri Lankan Navy, though not present at the scene, was also in touch with the crew of the Win Marine over radio and their exhortations added to the persuasive effect of the vessels of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy in convincing the Sri Lankan fishermen to release the Coast Guard sailors captured by them, safely and with their carbines.

The Indian Navy has not been able to take custody of the vessel and its crew because of the inclement weather and waters, as well as nightfall. With wind speeds of over 40 knots, it has been considered risky and unwise to attempt to tow the vessel, especially in the dark, because of the danger of it capsizing. Unofficial sources in the Indian Navy have said the operation will resume on Saturday morning.

The apprehended Sri Lankan fishing trawlers will be handed over to the police to initiate penal action as laid down in the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1976 as well as under any other laws that may be applicable.

Instances of Sri Lankan fishermen trespassing through Indian waters have been on the rise in the recent past, and are a serious cause of concern. In the year 2009, 123 boats along with 647 Sri Lankan fishermen have been apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard.

http://www.stratpost.com/navys-statemen ... el-sinking

Navy’s statement on Lanka vessel sinking
Saturday, December 12, 2009
By Saurabh Joshi

After the successful joint Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard operation on 10/11 Dec 09 for the release of two Indian Coast Guard personnel from the Sri Lankan fishing vessel ‘Win Marine’, an Indian Naval ship was directed to escort the fishing vessel from it’s position approximately 105 nautical miles east of Chennai.

As the tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal was moving towards the Tamil Nadu coast, the only safe direction for the vessel was towards the North. However, despite repeated effort from the Indian Navy ship and also Sri Lankan authorities who were in touch with the fishing vessel, the vessel did not comply with the advice and stopped in a position approximately 100 nautical miles east of Chennai at 2230 hrs.

At about 2345 hrs, the fishing vessel was observed to be on fire. The Indian Naval ship closed her immediately to render assistance. However, on closing the fishing vessel, the ship observed that the boat’s upper decks were ablaze and therefore, commenced search for possible survivors in the vicinity. A Dornier aircraft was also launched to augment the search effort at dawn on 12 Dec 09; but had to return to base due to inclement weather. Search for the survivors has been temporarily called off due to the very adverse weather in the area.

Meanwhile two Coast Guard ships continued the escort of the balance six Sri Lankan fishing vessels and they are scheduled to enter Kakinada port on night of 12/13 Dec 09 where they be handed over to police to initiate penal action as laid down in the Maritime Zones of India Act 1976.

Update: Naval sources say one crewman was seen in the water and a buoy/lifeline was thrown to him, but he was unable to reach the line.

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 07 Jan 2010 21:01

INS Savitri returns after anti-piracy operations.

Source: Livefist

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 18 Jan 2010 20:26

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100118/ap_on_re_af/piracy

NAIROBI, Kenya – Two rival groups of Somali pirates had a shootout just before a ransom was delivered to free a supertanker loaded with combustible crude oil, prompting the pirates onboard to call the anti-piracy force for help, a European Union naval spokesman said Monday.

How ironic!

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 28 Jan 2010 10:06

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/28/stories ... 920100.htm

Indian crew likely on hijacked ship

Craig Alpert · Post by **Craig Alpert** » 29 Jan 2010 00:40

^^ The audacity of the ****-ing Owner "the crew had been abandoned by the owner"??? Man I wish those pirates kidnap his ass to find out what it feels to be on the other side!

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 05 Feb 2010 23:57

Danish forces free ship captured by pirates

NAIROBI, Kenya – Danish special forces disrupted the takeover by pirates of a cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden on Friday, in a maneuver rarely undertaken by NATO warships, a naval spokesman said.

The Ariella's distress call was heard by the Indian warship Tabar, which passed it on to a French plane. The plane confirmed the presence of the pirates on deck, said Cmdr. John Harbour, spokesman for the European Union Naval Force. The Absalon, which was under NATO command, sent a helicopter to investigate.

Ameet · Post by **Ameet** » 09 Mar 2010 00:38

Indian navy thwarts pirate attack on Greek ship

http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_in ... ip_1356878

Nairobi: Indian navy commandos thwarted a suspected Somali pirate attack on the Greek bulk carrier Melina 1 off the Indian coast, East African maritime officials and the Indian navy said on Monday.

Andrew Mwangura, of the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme, said the weekend attack about 200 nautical miles (370 km) west of India''s Lakshwadeep islands closely resembled those of Somali pirates.

"The location seems way outside Somali pirate territory but the unsuccessful attack seems to bear all the hallmarks of Somali pirates -- three mother ships, two skiffs," he said.

India''s navy confirmed the incident, saying it despatched elite marine commandos, a coastguard vessel and an attack helicopter when it received a distress call from the Malta-flagged vessel during the early hours of Saturday.

"The hijacking attempt was successfully thwarted and we escorted the ship for awhile and she is now safe," Commander Roy Francis of the Indian navy said, adding that the team had returned to base.

The navy team was not sure of the identity of the pirates and Somali pirates had not previously been known to attack vessels so close to the Indian territory.

Mwangura said the vessel was transporting coal to India from Ukraine, with a 23-member Ukrainian-Filipino crew.

Somali pirate gangs typically hold hijacked ships for ransom, which often runs into millions of dollars.

Shameek · Post by **Shameek** » 17 Mar 2010 22:08

Somali pirates attempt attack on Dutch warship

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100317/ap_on_re_af/piracy

Second time they have made this mistake. Wonder how they confuse a merchant vessel with a warship.

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 19 Mar 2010 08:18

http://sify.com/news/indian-navy-deploy ... igjec.html

Indian Navy ship INS Nirdeshak has set sail for Mauritius for a hydrographic survey mission in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mauritian Government

It may be recalled that Indian Naval Ship Nirdeshak was the last ship to visit Mauritius during March-April 2009.
On her return passage to India the ship was diverted to Seychelles to demonstrate Indian Naval presence and to deter piracy in the region.
During her deployment off Seychelles the ship was involved in the successful capture of nine pirates in an operation, which was coordinated with Spanish frigate Numancia. (ANI)

abhishek_sharma · Post by **abhishek_sharma** » 20 Mar 2010 09:44

Indian Ocean, pirates, international waters: Where the hell is the US Navy?

http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/20 ... he_us_navy

Herb Carmen's posts talk about international will, highlight EU NAVFOR and NATO -- and say almost next to nothing about the U.S. Navy.

The fact is that the U.S. isn't showing the will to do what needs to be done. No one, including policymakers, wants to deal with it. I really believe that 5th Fleet made a conscious decision to let piracy escalate to get the Europeans to drag their butts through the Suez and no one has told me I'm wrong.

The U.S. Navy wants nothing to with fighting thugs in the littorals for the same reasons the Air Force traditionally resists the close air support mission -- it's not the blue water fleet battle they've built the force around. We ought to be take down motherships and ‘steal back' a merchant ship or two offshore. We should attack the financial networks and go after the agents and negotiators in other nearby countries. No one is willing to call out shippers and insurers for their complicit behavior. The real reason no one is really taking any of this seriously, I suspect, is that the hostages are largely low-paid Filipino, Indian and Pakistani merchant seamen. If we had 200 westerners held captive -- let alone Americans -- we'd already have a MEU on the beach.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 25 Mar 2010 05:51

Commercial ship strikes back in deadly shootout with Somali pirates

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 01 Apr 2010 07:34

SCG Topaz (formerly INS Tarmugli) in action

Seychelles coastguard destroys two pirate boats

A Seychelles coastguard vessel on Tuesday repelled an attack by Somali pirates, destroying two of their boats, hours after rescuing 27 fishermen in the Indian Ocean, it said in a statement.

The Topaz, one of the Indian Ocean state's two coastguard vessels, came under attack from three Somali pirate skiffs overnight, said a statement by the coastguard's commanding officer.

"Topaz returned fire, one attack skiff was sunk and the mother ship exploded and caught fire. The third skiff managed to escape," the statement said.

Despite seeing the 27 hostages being held at gunpoint on the deck of the hijacked Iranian dhow, the Seychelles authorities took the decision to attack the pirates after warning shots proved unsuccessful.

The Topaz unleashed a deluge of bullets into the Iranian boat's engine compartment, setting it on fire and forcing all on board to jump into the ocean.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 01 Apr 2010 20:26

US Navy frigate captures 5 pirates near Seychelles

U.S. naval forces say they've captured five pirates after exchanging fire with them, sinking their skiff and confiscating a mother ship.

The USS Nicholas came under fire early Thursday from pirates in an area west of the Seychelles.

The U.S. Africa Command said the five pirates seized would remain in U.S. custody on board the frigate for time time being. The Nicholas is home-ported in Norfolk, Va.

alok p · Post by **alok p** » 02 Apr 2010 14:25

abhishek_sharma wrote:Indian Ocean, pirates, international waters: Where the hell is the US Navy?

http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/20 ... he_us_navy

Herb Carmen's posts talk about international will, highlight EU NAVFOR and NATO -- and say almost next to nothing about the U.S. Navy.

The fact is that the U.S. isn't showing the will to do what needs to be done. No one, including policymakers, wants to deal with it. I really believe that 5th Fleet made a conscious decision to let piracy escalate to get the Europeans to drag their butts through the Suez and no one has told me I'm wrong.

The U.S. Navy wants nothing to with fighting thugs in the littorals for the same reasons the Air Force traditionally resists the close air support mission -- it's not the blue water fleet battle they've built the force around. We ought to be take down motherships and ‘steal back' a merchant ship or two offshore. We should attack the financial networks and go after the agents and negotiators in other nearby countries. No one is willing to call out shippers and insurers for their complicit behavior. The real reason no one is really taking any of this seriously, I suspect, is that the hostages are largely low-paid Filipino, Indian and Pakistani merchant seamen. If we had 200 westerners held captive -- let alone Americans -- we'd already have a MEU on the beach.

Seems valid on the face of it, but will the US (or any country for that matter) want to get militarily involved with the craziest anarchy in the world? Considering the last time the US put ground forces in Somalia it fled pretty quickly, would the US be committing to a third simultaneous war over 200 sailors?

OTOH, do we want India to take up large scale military operations in Somalia to stop piracy? (leaving aside the "can" question for a moment)

All reports suggest that pirates enjoy pretty widespread support among locals and the local economy is thriving thanks to ransom monies being paid out. Is the risk of getting stuck in a Somali quagmire worth free movement of shipping in the Red Sea area?

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 02 Apr 2010 18:06

How about the UN Security Council authorizing a "no sail" zone 5 km from the Somali coast?
Navies could be authorized to sink any vessel in the zone.
Somali fishermen could receive compensation for loss of earnings.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 02 Apr 2010 23:28

Hijacked Indian Vessels Put Focus on Illicit Maritime Trade

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 05 Apr 2010 19:21

South Korea tanker hijacked by Somali pirates

The 300,000-tonne Samho Dream - loaded with crude oil - was on its way from Iraq to the United States with 24 crew when it was seized on Sunday.

South Korea has sent a destroyer already in the area to intercept the tanker before it reaches any port.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 06 Apr 2010 04:37

Dutch commandos storm hijacked German containership
Niederländer befreien deutsches Containerschiff

with a spectacular action a Spezialeindeit of the Netherlands navy released the German trading vessel “ms Taipan” from the hands of Somali pirates. First a navy helicopter fired at the bridge of the kidnapped “ms Taipan”, as the Netherlands Ministry of Defense communicated. Afterwards a command unit roped itself on the ship and it under control brought.

Ten pirates were arrested. A Netherlands soldier was easily injured according to Ministry of Defense with the freeing action. The 15-köpfige crew of the “ms Taipan”, under it two Germans, remained uninjured.

Kenya wants to bring no more pirates before court

Nevertheless the security forces stand also after successes as the current before a problem. Momentarily is unclear, which is to happen with caught pirates. Kenya refuses in the meantime placing further pirates before court. Approximately one year ago the European Union had signed an agreement with the only halfway functioning state in the region. Kenya assured at that time to treat the suspects constitutional and received for it worth millions development assistance promises.

The solution was always a putrid compromise, because Kenya is to be been far from it, a constitutional state. Meanwhile more than 140 Hijacker sit in Mombasa in, but judgements take time. More suspect does not want to take up the country any longer. Kenya is afraid reactions of militant Somalis, particularly since Shabaab recruits the radical Islamic Al long young people for instance in Nairobis Somali quarter and channels back to Somalia.

nithish · Post by **nithish** » 07 Apr 2010 20:36

Somalian pirates release another Indian vessel

Somalian pirates on Wednesday released 'Nar-narayan', the fourth of the eight Gujarat registered cargo vessels hijacked by them last fortnight, a shipping association official said.

Haji Kasim Bholim, president of the Kutchi Vahanvatti Association, said that the vessel that was hijacked March 27 by the Somalian pirates was released near Mogadishu after it ran out of fuel.

The cargo vessel, carrying charcoal, was on its way from Mogadishu to Dubai when it was hijacked. The 15-member crew of the vessel was safe and is still in Mogadishu, Bholim said.

Meanwhile, the cargo vessel 'Faiz-e-Usmani' which was released Tuesday from the custody of the pirates following a joint operation by the US and Omani navy, is expected to take time getting back to Mandvi in Gujarat.

"For the moment, the pirates as well as the crew are being questioned," he said, adding that the post-mortem examination of the body of 23-year-old Sultan Ahmed Kicha, the lone crew member of 'Faiz-e-Usmani' who died when he panicked and jumped into the sea, had been completed.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 10 Apr 2010 20:10

US Navy holds 6 suspected pirates after battle

The U.S. Navy says suspected pirates began shooting at the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland Saturday, about 380 miles off Djibouti, a small nation facing Yemen across the mouth of the Red Sea. The Navy says the Ashland returned fire and the suspected pirate skiff was destroyed. All six people on board were rescued and taken aboard the Ashland.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 12 Apr 2010 14:32

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... 1vBUmy3PtA

EXcerpt:

India shipping firms seek new anti-pirate strategy
By Salil Panchal (AFP) – 1 day ago

MUMBAI — Alarmed by a big jump in pirate attacks, India's shipping industry says it needs a new security strategy to safeguard vessels in the dangerous waters off Somalia's lawless coast.

At least 95 Indian sailors are still being held by Somali pirates after they seized nine small ships in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa late last month, the Indian government says.

The attacks, targeting one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes, were the latest in a string on Indian vessels in which dhows -- slow-moving, mechanised boats -- have been among the most vulnerable.

"(Dhow) piracy is becoming a major problem," said Captain Harish Khatri, India's deputy director general of shipping who attended an anti-piracy conference last week in Mumbai.

"We need a new strategy to tackle it," he said at the conference which was organised by the seafarers' unions and drew shipowners, government officials, maritime agencies and foreign security intelligence experts.

In the latest incident in which least 121 Indian sailors were captured -- 26 were subsequently released -- all were dhows.

atreya · Post by **atreya** » 13 Apr 2010 17:33

A question. Does every Indian navy vessel have some MARCOS commandos on board? Or is it only for those ships engaged in anti piracy ops?
And secondly, they have talked about the Chetak firing warning shots. Does that mean the Chetaks used are armed versions, or does it mean that the commandos inside fire warning shots?

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 13 Apr 2010 18:53

Anti Piracy Missions by the Indian Navy in Gulf of Aden
- Official press release

INS Betwa with an armed helicopter and Marine Commando team has replaced INS Beas on anti piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden recently. She is the 16th Indian Naval ship to be deployed since Oct 2008. During this period, Indian Naval ships have safely escorted more than 930 merchant ships of different nationalities, with, over 7780 Indians as crew. These include over 124 Indian flagged merchant ships. No merchant ship under the escort of an Indian Naval warship has been hijacked thus far and more than 15 piracy attempts have been prevented by Indian Naval warships.

In view of the risk of piracy, most of the merchant vessels now transit through the Gulf of Aden where a large number of warships are deployed. Only limited number of vessels operate off the East coast of Africa or Somalia. Several Indian Dhows, however, continue to engage in regular trade between Persian Gulf / India and ports on the East coast of Africa and Somalia. The owners and crew of these dhows are fully aware of the risks and dangers of operating so close to the Somali coast, but they continue to do so probably for commercial considerations. Pirates do not usually seek ransom from dhow owners, but dhows are attractive vessels for use as “mother ships” to launch further piracy attacks on other merchant vessels.

In addition to India, warships of other countries are also operating in the Gulf of Aden. On an average 16 – 18 warships are deployed in the Gulf of Aden at any given time, which is indicative of the seriousness of the problem of piracy. As a result, the number of successful piracy attempts in the Gulf of Aden has shown a downward trend, but piracy is spreading away from the Gulf of Aden deeper into the Indian Ocean. Dhows are suitable craft for supporting the pirates at such distances. It is for this reason that Dhow owners have been repeatedly advised to avoid the piracy prone areas off Somalia. Despite the advisories issued by the DG Shipping, Indian dhows continue to operate in these piracy infested areas, placing at risk the lives of Indian crew onboard.

Though periodic incidents of hijacking of dhows had been reported earlier, in the past few days there has been a spurt of reports indicating hijackings of Indian dhows off Somalia. Reports also indicate that most of the dhows have been released safely and only two dhows are still in captivity. This indicates that that the hijackings of the dhows are normally not linked to ransom nor are they life threatening for the hijacked crew.

Not withstanding the presence of a large number of multinational naval forces in the Gulf of Aden, the contribution of the Indian Navy for anti piracy efforts in the region will continue in future.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 11 May 2010 23:37

Captured Somali pirates 'dead' - Russia

A GROUP of Somali pirates captured by the Russian navy in the Gulf of Aden and then set free in a boat are most probably dead after failing to reach the shore,

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 12 May 2010 01:13

Gerard wrote:Captured Somali pirates 'dead' - Russia
A GROUP of Somali pirates captured by the Russian navy in the Gulf of Aden and then set free in a boat are most probably dead after failing to reach the shore,

Rooskies always know how to brutally put fear in the mind of their enemies. Anybody remember the Alfa team incident where they captured one terrorist and beheaded him in full view of his comrades. Their message....release all hostages or the rest of you will go the same way. The rest of the terrorists immediately surrendered.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 12 May 2010 07:15

Solo Sailor in Pirate Waters, Navy on Watch

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 17 May 2010 02:21

Russia slammed over pirate handling

“If they were actually set adrift with insufficient supply, at a range of 300 nautical miles from the shore, then Russia once again failed in its positive duty to prevent foreseeable loss of life,” Abdirasak Aden, an official at Somalia's Information Ministry told Reuters.

Hiten · Post by **Hiten** » 17 May 2010 07:13

video of capture of the Somali pirates by Russian Sp Forces

БПК "Адмирал Пантелеев" : Сомали

Update: Realized that the video is not that of the latest rescue by the Russians - uploaded in Feb

apoligies if already posted

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 18 Jun 2010 17:53

Navy ship on anti-piracy mission to join Seychelles Day fete

An Indian Navy ship on an anti-piracy mission in Seychelles waters at present will join the celebrations of the island nation's National Day tomorrow. The ship, INS Trishul, will anchor off Seychelles and join the events at sea and at the port there.

Trishul was in Seychelles for last one week to carry out anti-piracy patrols in the nation's Exclusive Economic Zone, after having spent about three weeks in the Gulf of Aden on a similar mission, a Navy officer said here today.

Before reaching Seychelles, the ship had carried out a similar patrol in Mauritius waters for about a week. Trishul has now been replaced by INS Mysore, a Delhi class destroyer of the Indian Navy in Gulf of Aden since June 10.

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 19 Jun 2010 17:47

IN role in ant-piracy ops reaches new high..

1000-ship milestone for navy

Indian Navy escorted 900 foreign ships in Gulf of Aden

"To date, the Indian Navy has escorted 1,037 ships, including 134 Indian flagged and 903 foreign flagged, across the pirate infested waters of the Gulf of Aden," navy spokesperson Commander P.V.S. Satish said. The navy "successfully" escorted the 1,000th ship when INS Brahmaputra recently accompanied MV Borzna, a cargo vessel, Satish said,

"The Indian Navy's contribution to keeping the 'global commons' safe for merchant ships of as many as 50 countries who have availed the escort is significant. This, of course, is in addition to the anti-piracy patrols the (navy) undertakes in other island countries of the region," he said.

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 25 Jun 2010 16:06

EU's Ashton to visit India for closer ties, anti-piracy help