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Indian Navy destroys Somali pirate ship |
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By: Agencies |
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Date:
2008-11-20 |
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Place: Mogadishu |
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in action: A file photo of INS Tabar. pic/ap | Indian Navy warship has sunk a Somali pirate "mother ship" in the Gulf of Aden, the world's most treacherous waterway, after the renegades threatened to attack the frigate.
The clash happened as pirates claimed to begin negotiations over a ransom for the Saudi super-tanker that was seized on Saturday. The Sirius Star, which is carrying $100 million (Rs 498 crore) worth of crude oil, is the biggest ship ever to be hijacked.
INS Tabar, which was dispatched last month to the area to protect India's merchant fleet, sighted the pirate vessel late on Tuesday. Indian officers said they spotted pirates moving on the deck with rocket propelled grenade launchers and automatic weapons.
"On repeated calls, the vessel's threatening response was that she would blow up the naval warship," the Navy said in a statement.
"INS Tabar retaliated in self defence and opened fire on the mother vessel.
"As a result of the firing by INS Tabar, fire broke out on the vessel and explosions were heard, possibly due to exploding ammunition that was stored. From what we see in photographs, the pirate vessel is completely destroyed," a senior officer said. |
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