Somali pirates release second Indian vessel

GANDHINAGAR - Somali pirates Sunday released another Indian cargo vessel hijacked last week, a seafarers’ association said. Of the eight vessels hijacked with nearly 150 Indians onboard, two have now been set free.

According to Adam Bhaya, secretary of the Vahanvatta association, Safina Al Gayatri, which was carrying livestock from Jabuda port on the Somalian coast to Salala in Oman, was hijacked Friday by pirates who came in a speedboat.

After hijacking the vessel, the pirates sought to use it to attack a tanker but did not succeed because of the alertness of the captain.

“In fact, reports reaching us say that the pirates forced some of the Indian crew to join in the attack but in vain,” Bhaya said.

According to the secretary, it was an American naval vessel which helped save the Indian cargo vessel.

“Gayatri is now on its way to Oman along with the crew who are safe,” he added.

On Saturday, MSV Krishnajyot, a 500-tonne vessel seized March 28 along with its 154-man crew, was released. The vessel was hijacked when sailing from Sharjah to Mogadishu in Somalia.

Bhaya stressed the need for Indian naval vessels to step up their presence in the pirate-infested seas off the east coast of Somalia.

“Instead the Indian authorities have sought to impose restrictions on the movement of its cargo vessels on the east coast off Somalia. Have you heard of movement of planes being banned if one is hijacked? If not then why this ban on us instead of reinforcing security,” he questioned.