Earlier this month, an Indian cargo ship Al Kausar was hijacked by Somali pirates, who took 11 crew members with them. The cargo ship was on its way to Al Mukala port in Yemen from Dubai. The reports say that the crew members belonged to Mandavi in Mumbai. Mohamed Hashi Arabey, Vice President of Galmudug State, told the sources, “We attacked the Indian ship and rescued it but the pirates took away the 11 crew. We rescued two crew and they went with nine crew into the hilly areas between El Hur and Hardheere.”
According to sources, the pirates have kept the crew to bargain for the freedom of 117 pirates jailed in India. The rate of attacks by Somali pirates was high in 2012 but, the attacks declined with improved security measures and proper patrolling by the international naval forces.
This year, however, has witnessed attacks one after the other. The first hijack occurred in the early month of March where Commors flagged tanker Aris 13, was held captive. 8 Sri Lankans were held and later released without any negotiations. Pirates had told sources that they seized the ship in protest of illegal fishing in the area.
This month witnessed a hijack again with 9 crew members held captive. Let us hope they are not threatened and returned back home safe.
