HIJACKING OF VESSELS BY PIRATES

HIJACKING OF VESSELS BY PIRATES

Seven incidents of hijacking of vessels on high seas by pirates have been reported during the last three years.

Specific Incidents

a. Merchant Vessel – Lila Norfolk (January 04-05, 2024)

  • One hijacking incident involving Lila Norfolk.
  • 21 crew members onboard, including 15 Indian nationals.

b. Fishing Vessel – IMAN (January 28, 2024)

  • Hijacking incident involving IMAN.
  • No Indian crew onboard.

c. Fishing Vessel – AI Naeemi (January 29, 2024)

  • Hijacking incident involving AI Naeemi.
  • No Indian crew onboard.

Indian Navy’s Proactive Engagement

  • Indian Navy actively engages with regional and extra-regional navies/maritime forces to promote maritime security.

Antipiracy Patrols

  • Since 2008, Indian Navy has deployed units in the Gulf of Aden and the East Coast of Africa for antipiracy patrols.
  • 3,440 ships and over 25,000 seafarers have been safely escorted.

Restoring Maritime Security

  • Enhanced presence of ships and aerial surveillance in the Central Arabian Sea and Off East Coast of Somalia by Indian Navy.
  • Interrogation of fishing vessels/dhows for maintaining maritime security.

Coordination and Information Exchange

  • Information exchange with national and international maritime security agencies.
  • Effective liaison and coordination with DG (Shipping) for inputs on Indian crew onboard Merchant vessels.

Palk Strait

  • Nil piracy incidents reported in Palk Strait.

Statement in Lok Sabha

  • The information was provided by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in response to Shri A Ganeshamurthi in the Lok Sabha.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers:

  1. How many hijacking incidents of vessels on high seas have been reported in the last three years?
    • A) Five
    • B) Six
    • C) Seven
    • D) Eight
    • Answer: C) Seven
  2. Which vessel experienced a hijacking incident on January 04-05, 2024, with 15 Indian nationals onboard?
    • A) Fishing Vessel – IMAN
    • B) Fishing Vessel – AI Naeemi
    • C) Merchant Vessel – Lila Norfolk
    • D) None of the above
    • Answer: C) Merchant Vessel – Lila Norfolk
  3. How many seafarers have been safely escorted by the Indian Navy during antipiracy patrols since 2008?
    • A) Over 20,000
    • B) Over 25,000
    • C) Over 30,000
    • D) Over 35,000
    • Answer: B) Over 25,000
  4. Where has the Indian Navy enhanced its presence for restoring maritime security?
    • A) Bay of Bengal
    • B) South China Sea
    • C) Central Arabian Sea and Off East Coast of Somalia
    • D) Indian Ocean
    • Answer: C) Central Arabian Sea and Off East Coast of Somalia
  5. What is the status of piracy incidents in the Palk Strait?
    • A) High
    • B) Moderate
    • C) Low
    • D) Nil
    • Answer: D) Nil