'Indian Navy ready to deal with sea piracy'

As Somali pirates seized one more ship carrying 24 Indians, government today said the Indian Navy has a plan to deal with hijacking of vessels on the high seas.

As Somali pirates seized one more ship carrying 24 Indians, government today said the Indian Navy has a plan to deal with hijacking of vessels on the high seas.

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Home Minister P Chidambaram said the Indian Navy has earlier undertaken missions and rescued a number of hijacked ships.

"I think, the Navy has a plan," he told reporters here when referred to the fresh case of a ship, with 24 Indians on board, being hijacked in Seychelles and asked whether the government was doing anything to beef up security.

He, however, refused to divulge details about the Navy's plan.

His comments came as Somali pirates hijacked a Panamanian ship 'MV Al Khaliq' today, just a week after a vessel with two Indians and some other crew was seized by the sea brigands.

Chidambaram pointed out that the Indian Navy had "intervened" in a number of cases of hijackings in these waters and rescued ships.

"A number of countries have applauded the Indian Navy in one or two such occasions," he said.