Thaindian News

New Delhi, Mar 14 (ANI): The Indian Navy on Monday intercepted a pirate mother ship Vega 5, 600 nautical miles off the country’s west coast and arrested 61 pirates.

About thirteen hostages have been rescued in the operation that was carried by Navy’s INS Kalpeni.

The rescued sailors and pirates are being brought to Mumbai and Kochi.

According to Naval press release, on March 11, a Naval Dornier while responding to a call from MV Vancouver Bridge under pirate attack, located Vega 5, a pirate mother vessel in the area.

“Seeing the naval aircraft, the pirates immediately aborted their piracy attempt and the mother vessel attempted to escape from the area. Whilst IN Maritime Patrol Aircraft continuously tracked the Vega 5, Indian Naval Ships Khukri and Kalpeni already deployed for anti piracy patrol, were diverted to intercept and investigate Vega 5,” release said.

On March 12, 11 INS Kalpeni closed Vega 5. The pirate mother vessel launched two skiffs, which fired at Kalpeni. INS Kalpeni responded with limited firing. Thereafter it was observed that a fire had broken out on Vega 5.

INS Kalpeni in conjunction with INS Khukri recovered 74 personnel comprising 61 pirates and 13 members of the original crew of the fishing vessel.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the pirates were carrying about 80 to 90 small arms/rifles and a few heavier weapons (likely to be RPGs).

Vega 5, a Mozambique flagged fishing vessel was hijacked on December 28 and has thereafter been used as ‘mother vessel’ for piracy operations.

This vessel had been a risk to international shipping for last four months and has carried out several attacks.

Naval ships and aircraft are presently in the area searching for any other fishermen and pirates. (ANI)