Indian Navy rescue Iranian vessel Al Kambar under operation Sankalp
Defence
5 min read
The Indian Navy on 29 March 2024 rescued an Iranian fishing vessel Al Kambar’ and its crew of 23 Pakistani nationals, in the Indian ocean which was hijacked by armed pirates under its Operation Sankalp.
According to the Indian Navy the Indian naval specialist teams are presently undertaking thorough sanitisation and seaworthiness checks of the fishing vessel in order to escort her to a safe area for resuming normal fishing activities.
Rescue of Iranian Fishing Vessel Al Kambar
The Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha intercepted the hijacked Iranian fishing vessel Al Kambar on 28 March 2024. It was later joined subsequently by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul in the operation. The operation of the Indian Naval ships lasted over 12 hours .The Indian Navy personnel boarded the hijacked Iranian vessel and forced the pirates to surrender
The fishing vessel at the time of incident was approximately 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra.Socotra Archipelago is in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden. The Socotra Archipelago comes under Yemen.
Operation Sankalp
The Indian Navy launched Operation Sankalp to ensure a safer and more secure Indian Ocean for navigation and trade. As part of its maritime security operation the Indian Navy has undertaken anti-piracy,anti-drone and anti-missile operations.
According to the Indian Navy as of 23 March 2024 it has saved 110 lives which included 45 Indians and 65 foreign nationals.
Recently the Indian Navy rescued the Malta-registered bulk cargo ship MV Ruen which was hijacked by the Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Navy has reported more than 90 hostile maritime incidents since November 2023.The Navy has reported 57 missile or drone attacks or sightings and 39 incidents involving hijacking,piracy or suspicious approaches.
Maritime Security Threat in Indian Ocean
- The Indian Ocean is a vital area for the transit of oil and goods from around the world. It covers about 20 percent of the world’s water surface, and three-quarters of global oil reserves. Around 80 percent of the world’s maritime oil cargo pass through the Indian Ocean region annually.
- However the major maritime threat in the region is posed by the Somali pirates and the hostile activities of the Houthi rebels which are targeting Western and Israeli cargo ships.
- Somali pirates are active in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the East African coast .They have been involved in the act of piracy against commercial vessels passing through the region.
- The Iranian backed Houthis have stepped up their attack on the Western countries merchant vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden after the Israel-Hamas war. Houthis are a rebel group of Yemen who are fighting against the Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia,UAE and western powers like the USA .
- The Houthis have launched drone and missile attacks against the ships passing through the region.
- The Gulf of Aden, is a vital transit route for global maritime trade as it connects the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.
- Indian import of oil from Russia and its trade with Europe passes through the Gulf of Aden . It is very crucial for Indian international trade. Thus to safeguard its interest the Indian Navy has launched Operation Sankalp.
Chief of Naval Staff : Admiral R.Hari Kumar.
