Indian Navy thwarts hijack bid

Working with the French and Spanish navies, the Indian Navy thwarted a hijack attempt off Seychelles coast and prevented Somali pirates from taking over an Italian cruiseliner (pic) with over 1,500 people on board.

Working with the French and Spanish navies, the Indian Navy thwarted a hijack attempt off Seychelles coast and prevented Somali pirates from taking over an Italian cruiseliner (pic) with over 1,500 people on board.

HT Image

The operation on Saturday night lasted 12 hours and ended with the arrest of nine pirates. A navy official said: “An Indian Navy helicopter and a Spanish frigate intercepted the pirates, who realised it was futile to take them on.” The chopper was launched from the INS Nirdeshak, which has been patrolling the region.