Indian Navy repulses pirate attack on Indian merchant Ship in Gulf of Aden

Indian Naval Ship Tabar whilst on Anti Piracy Patrol in The Gulf Of Aden on 11 Nov 08 responded swiftly to alarms raised by two merchant ships under attack by pirates approximately 60 nautical miles east of port of Aden. The pirate attacks consisted of 4-5 fast attack boats with 4-5 armed pirates on each. On hearing the distress calls the ship immediately launched her helicopter with marine commandos embarked.

The helicopter noticed indian merchant ship JAG ARNAV and Saudi Arabian chemical tanker NCC TIMAHA UNDER attack by pirates. The helicopter opened fire at the boats thereby forcing them to break off and foiling their attempt to board these two merchant ships. On closing the pirate boats, INS Tabar also fired her guns to ward off any further attacks. Where after, the boats sped away to the shallow waters of the coast. Presently MV JAG ARNAV is in the company of Indian warship Tabar.

MV Jag Arnav, A 38,265 tonnes bulk carrier is owned by The Great Eastern Shipping Co Ltd. The ship had transited the suez canal a few days ago and was eastward bound in the gulf of aden when she came under attack from the pirates.

The Indian Navy has been conducting anti piracy patrols in the Gulf Of Aden since 23 oct 08 as a sizeable portion of Indian trade flows through the Gulf Of Aden and there has been a quantum increase in the number of piracy attacks in this region over the last few months. These patrols are carried out in coordination with the ministry of shipping and are intended to protect Indian merchant vessels from being attacked by pirates and also to instill confidence in India’s large seafaring community.