In yet another instance of piracy attempts on a fishing vessel, Indian Navy stepped in to foil the attempts on an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Omaril along East coast of Somalia. INS Sharda deployed in the region was diverted to intercept the boat which ensured the release of the crew, 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals, along with the boat, Report informs via foreign media.

“Information regarding piracy attempt on Fishing Vessel FV Omari was monitored on January 31. Indian Naval Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), undertaking surveillance in the area, successfully located FV Omari and INS Sharda, deployed for anti-piracy mission in the region was diverted to intercept the boat,” the Navy said in a statement on Friday.

FV Omaril, an Iranian Flagged Vessel, had been boarded by seven pirates who had taken the crew as hostages, according to the Navy. “INS Sharda intercepted the vessel in early hours of February 2 and used her integral helicopter and boats to coerce the pirates for safe release of crew along with the vessel.”

The ship also undertook confirmatory boarding on the vessel to sanitise and check on the well-being of the crew who had been held captive by the Somali pirates, the Navy added.