Mogadishu: At least six Indians are among the 10 crew members aboard a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia’s Puntland coast earlier this week. The vessel, M/V LUTUF, was carrying Turkish weapons and other military equipment when it was seized and taken towards Somalia’s Nugaal coast.
The ship was reportedly hijacked on Monday, August 17, near Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district. Eight armed pirates are believed to have taken control of the vessel and moved it towards the coast near Garmaal in the Dangoroyo district.
Six Indians among 10-member crew
The crew aboard the hijacked vessel consists of six Indian sailors, one Turkish national, one Georgian national and two Serbian security guards, according to a Somali official cited by the Associated Press.
The condition and exact whereabouts of the crew were not immediately clear in the latest reports.
Neither Indian nor Turkish authorities had issued a public statement on the incident at the time of the latest reports.
Ship was carrying Turkish weapons
The M/V LUTUF was reportedly transporting a shipment of Turkish weapons destined for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu.
Along with the weapons, the vessel was carrying communications and satellite equipment. The ship is owned by Polar Movement Shipping.
The nature of the cargo has added a significant security dimension to the hijacking, given the presence of military equipment and the vessel’s intended destination.
Pirates reportedly took ship towards Nugaal coast
The vessel was seized approximately 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district, according to the Somali official who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The eight pirates reportedly took the ship towards the coast near Garmaal in the Dangoroyo district.
The group is suspected of having links to pirates involved in the hijacking of another merchant vessel, M/V Sward, on April 26.
Turkish vessels and aircraft monitored the area
After the hijacking, two Turkish-owned vessels reportedly approached the area, while Turkish helicopters and drones monitored the hijacked ship.
The surveillance operation suggests that authorities were closely tracking the vessel after pirates took control of it.
However, details about any direct intervention or rescue operation remain unclear.
Airstrike reportedly killed four men
A separate incident occurred after a small boat carrying two men approached the hijacked vessel on Tuesday and delivered khat, a stimulant commonly chewed in Somalia.
According to the Somali official, the boat subsequently returned to shore. An airstrike then took place, reportedly killing four men and injuring two others.
However, several important details remain unconfirmed.
It is not clear who carried out the airstrike, whether the people killed were pirates or associates of the hijackers, or whether the incident was directly connected to the attempt to recover the ship.
The available reports have also not independently verified all aspects of the account.
Status of ship and crew remains unclear
The latest reports did not establish whether the M/V LUTUF and its crew had been freed or whether the pirates continued to control the vessel.
The status of the cargo also remains unclear.
The uncertainty is particularly significant because six Indian nationals are among the crew members. Their families and authorities will be closely watching for information about their safety and any potential rescue effort.
Somalia continues to face piracy concerns
Piracy off Somalia’s coast declined substantially after reaching a peak between 2008 and 2018, but attacks have resurfaced in recent years.
The strategic location of Somalia along major international shipping routes makes the waters around the country’s coastline important for global maritime trade.
The renewed threat has prompted greater attention from international naval and maritime security organisations.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency had earlier reported that a cargo vessel was boarded by eight unauthorised armed men off Somalia on August 17.
Security concerns for international shipping
The latest hijacking highlights the continuing risks faced by commercial vessels operating close to Somalia.
The presence of military equipment aboard the M/V LUTUF makes the incident particularly sensitive. The vessel was not simply transporting commercial goods but was reportedly carrying weapons and communications equipment intended for a Turkish military facility.
The involvement of crew members from India, Turkey, Georgia and Serbia also makes the incident an international maritime security concern.
What happens next?
The immediate priority will be determining the location and safety of the 10 crew members and establishing who currently controls the vessel.
Authorities will also need to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported airstrike and determine whether the people killed were connected to the hijacking.
For India, the safety of the six Indian sailors is likely to remain the central concern as more information emerges.
At present, the available reports do not confirm whether the crew members have been rescued or whether negotiations for their release are underway.
Conclusion
Six Indians are among the 10 crew members aboard the Cameroon-flagged M/V LUTUF, which was hijacked by pirates off Somalia’s Puntland coast earlier this week. The vessel was reportedly carrying Turkish weapons, communications equipment and satellite equipment bound for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu.
Eight armed pirates are believed to have taken the ship towards Somalia’s Nugaal coast. Turkish vessels, helicopters and drones reportedly monitored the situation, while an airstrike later killed four people and injured two, although key details surrounding the strike remain unverified.
The condition of the six Indian sailors and the other crew members was not immediately clear, making the incident a developing international maritime security concern.