Delhi: Pirate ship sunk by Indian navy took part in Saudi tanker hijack

The Indian defense ministry stated Thursday, Nov. 20, that the pirate “mother ship” sunk by the IN Tabar stealth frigate Tuesday in the Gulf of Aden took part in the hijacking of the Saudi supertanker Sirius Star last Saturday. The pirates are holding the giant tanker carrying $100 million worth of crude off the Somali coast to a $25 million ransom.
The ship destroyed by the Indian warship was described as a mother vessel loaded with food, diesel and water with two speed boats in tow. On the deck were rocket-propelled grenade launchers and guns. The pirates aboard when challenged threatened to blow up the Indian warship then opened fire. After destroying the pirate ship, the Tabar chased one of the speed boats, which was later found abandoned.
The US 5th fleet spokesman and the International Maritime Bureau said it had no reports on the incident. The attack took place 285 nautical miles southwest off Salalah, Oman. debkafile‘s counter-terror sources report that this area would be well off the Somali pirates’ beaten track and cause of concern on another score, their proximity to the Strait of Hormuz – unless the vessel hit by the Indian frigate belonged to a different pirate gang or arms smugglers.
The Indian navy says it was the third attack the Indian warship had repelled since its anti-piracy mission began in the Gulf of Aden on Nov. 2. On Nov. 11, Indian naval commandos flying a helicopter foiled an attempt to hijack an Indian merchant ship.