New Delhi: Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has awarded an ‘On-the-spot Unit Citation’ to INS Sharda for successful conduct of anti-piracy operations at sea, officials on Saturday said.
The ship was involved in the safe release of all 19 crew members (11 Iranian and 8 Pakistani) of Iranian fishing vessel “Omari” which was held hostage by pirates off the east coast of Somalia, the Indian Navy said in a statement issued by its spokesperson.
Admiral Kumar, during his visit to Southern Naval
Command, Kochi, awarded
the ‘On-the-spot Unit Citation’ to INS Sharda for successful conduct of anti-piracy operations, it said.
The ship was tasked to investigate the Iranian fishing vessel “Omari” that was
likely hijacked by pirates, the Navy said.
“Based on surveillance inputs of naval RPA, the ship intercepted the vessel and maintained a covert trail throughout the night.
During early morning hours of February 2, the ship’s integral helo and subsequently Prahar team was launched,” the statement said.
The ship’s “aggressive posture” coerced the pirates to safely release the crew and boat. The swift and decisive actions of the ship resulted in the rescue of hijacked fishing vessel and its crew from Somali pirates, the statement said.