The Indian navy has freed 23 crew members of an Iranian fishing vessel hijacked by armed pirates off Somalia.
A statement from the Indian Navy said the fishing vessel Camper 786 was in a location southwest of Yemen’s Socotra island on March 28 when it was reportedly taken over by nine pirates.
The statement said the navy intercepted the ship using two ships and was dealt with “tactical measures” that lasted more than 12 hours and ended with the surrender of the pirates.
The Navy also said in another statement that the nine pirates will be transported to India under the local anti-piracy law on the high seas.
The ship’s crew of 23 Pakistanis are safe and have been allowed to continue fishing activities, the statement said.
The Indian navy has been active off the coast of Somalia since 2008. It stepped up its anti-piracy efforts last year after a surge in attacks.
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