Six Indians aboard cargo ship carrying Turkish military weapons hijacked off Somalia coast (Img: Pinterest)
New Delhi: Somali pirates have carried out two separate hijacking operations within four days, raising fresh concerns over maritime security in the waters near Somalia and Yemen. Among those affected are Indian nationals, with six Indians part of the crew of a cargo vessel seized off Somalia’s Puntland coast.
The incidents have highlighted the growing threat of piracy in strategic shipping routes, including the Gulf of Aden and nearby waters connecting Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The latest incident involved the Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel M/V LUTUF, which was hijacked near Puntland’s Eyl district in Somalia.
According to local officials, the ship was carrying a 10-member crew, including six Indian nationals, one Turkish citizen, one Georgian national and two Serbian security personnel.
The vessel, owned by Polar Movement Shipping, was reportedly transporting weapons, communication equipment and satellite systems linked to a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu.
Officials said eight armed pirates took control of the ship and moved it towards the Nugaal coastline near Garmaal in Puntland’s Dangoroyo district. The exact status of the vessel and crew remains under monitoring.
In another incident, pirates seized the Eritrea-flagged tanker M.T. Sibu 1 in the Gulf of Aden, near Yemen’s coastline.
The vessel was carrying 20 crew members, including 16 Indian nationals. Authorities said the crew’s safety was initially reported, but further details about the ship’s location and current condition are awaited.
The tanker was later moved towards Somali waters, increasing concerns over coordinated pirate activity in the region.
Security experts say piracy incidents around Somalia and the Gulf of Aden are showing signs of a comeback due to regional conflicts, economic challenges and reduced maritime security presence.
Somali piracy had reached its peak around 2010, when hundreds of ships were targeted, causing major financial losses for shipping companies and insurers worldwide.
With two vessels now seized in a short period, international agencies are closely monitoring the situation to protect commercial shipping routes and ensure the safety of crew members.
