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| Africa Horn |
| Indian navy captures 61 Somali pirates |
| 2011-03-14 |
| The Indian navy has captured 61 suspected Somali pirates and rescued 13 fishermen after a firefight with a pirate mothership in the Arabian Sea, a navy spokesman says. "A total of 74 men have been apprehended, of which 61 are suspected to be Somali pirates," Indian navy spokesman PVS Satish said, adding the incident happened on Saturday night within Indian waters. A total of 13 fishermen on board the mothership, a Mozambique-flagged fishing boat, were rescued after the firefight that took place 1,100 kilometres off the west coast of India. The Vega 5 fishing boat was hijacked December last year and was being used as a base for the pirates, who were found with small arms as well as rocket-propelled grenades and fuel drums. A statement from the navy said its fast-attack craft, the INS Kalpeni, directed "limited" fire on the vessel after being shot at. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #12 If Bile can be tracked down, I'd destroy every object he has ever owned, and let it be known anyone associating him will suffer the same. Time to split a wedge, even if you can do an Arclight (drink up!) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2011-03-14 23:10 |
| #11 ...and their fellow swashbucklers are not happy. A self-described pirate in Somalia who gave his name as Bile Hussein said the arrests will lead to "trouble" for Indian sailors and ships."They better release them, considering their people traveling in the waters, or we shall jail their people like that," he said. "We are first sending a message to the Indian government of releasing our friends in their hands or else they have to be ready for their citizens to be mistreated in the near future." The Indian navy's third anti-piracy operation this year followed the capture of 28 Somali pirates last month and another 15 in January. Both groups are to be prosecuted in Mumbai. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2011-03-14 21:20 |
| #10 Details... On 11th Mar 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 pirate mother vessel Vega 5, Indian Naval Ships Khukri ( a missile corvette) and Kalpeni (a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft) already deployed for anti piracy patrol, were diverted to intercept and investigate Vega 5. On the night of 12 Mar 11 INS Kalpeni closed Vega 5. In the darkness, 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 (mother vessels are known to carry additional fuel drums to fuel the skiffs). Personnel were also seen jumping overboard. INS Kalpeni in conunction 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 28 Dec 10 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. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2011-03-14 21:14 |
| #9 Looks like their strategy is to hit the mother ships. What a novel plan... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2011-03-14 19:35 |
| #8 India will try them. I doubt the Somalis will write home the praises of an Indian prison. |
| Posted by: john frum 2011-03-14 18:43 |
| #7 Sounds like the Indians took on a load of bait for the shark fishing tournament. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2011-03-14 15:36 |
| #6 Did we say 61? Sorry, we meant "none". They all jumped overboard. We tried to stop them. Honest. |
| Posted by: mojo 2011-03-14 14:21 |
| #5 Try them? Jurisdiction? How about letting them swim home. |
| Posted by: jim 2011-03-14 14:18 |
| #4 Keel Haul them until they wish they had gills. |
| Posted by: Angoting McGurque1187 2011-03-14 13:58 |
| #3 A Indian Navy vs. US Navy (waiting for Obama) video like the Japan Vs. US from yestaday would be cool. |
| Posted by: Fi 2011-03-14 07:59 |
| #2 Now that they caught them, what can they do with them? Is there any jurisdiction anywhere in which to try them? |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2011-03-14 07:34 |
| #1 The Indian Navy - doing the job no one else can/will do. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2011-03-14 06:12 |