INS Sharda
New Delhi: In a coordinated multilateral response to the hijacking of a Sri Lankan fishing vessel, the Indian Navy in collaboration with Seychelles Defence Forces and Sri Lanka Navy successfully intercepted and rescued the hijacked vessel.
A hijacking incident was reported onboard the Sri Lankan flagged multiday fishing trawler LORENZO PUTHA 04 about 955 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia. Three pirates had boarded and hijacked the fishing trawler on January 27, 2024.
Indian Navy deployed INS Sharda on January 28 and also tasked HALE Sea Guardian to locate and intercept the hijacked fishing vessel. Additionally, efficient operational coordination and information sharing through the Sri Lanka and Seychelles International Liaison Officers at the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC IOR), New Delhi resulted in the interception of the hijacked fishing vessel by SCGS Topaz in Seychelles‘ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on January 29, 2024.
The three pirates surrendered to the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) and all six crew members were safe and the vessel was being escorted to Mahe, Seychelles.
– global bihari bureau
