New Delhi: Six Indian nationals are among the 10 crew members aboard a Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel that was hijacked by pirates off Somalia’s Puntland coast earlier this week, according to a Somali official cited by the Associated Press. The vessel, M/V LUTUF, was reportedly carrying Turkish weapons, communications equipment and satellite gear when it was seized.
The ship was reportedly hijacked on Monday, August 17, near Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district, around three and a half nautical miles from the coast. According to the Somali official, the vessel was subsequently taken towards the Nugaal coast. The LUTUF is owned by Polar Movement Shipping and was carrying weapons reportedly destined for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu.
Who Was Onboard?
The 10-member crew reportedly consisted of six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian national and two Serbian security guards. The identities of the Indian crew members have not been publicly released in the latest reports.
The current condition and whereabouts of the crew remain unclear. Neither Indian nor Turkish authorities had issued a detailed public statement on the reported hijacking at the time of the latest updates. The lack of official information has heightened concerns over the safety of the Indian seafarers and the other crew members.
Pirates Take Ship Towards Puntland Coast
Reports indicate that eight armed pirates seized the LUTUF and moved it towards the coast near Garmaal in Puntland’s Dangoroyo district. The pirates are suspected of having links to a group previously involved in the hijacking of another merchant vessel, M/V Sward, which was seized on April 26.
The reported seizure comes amid renewed concerns over piracy in waters around Somalia, where maritime security remains a major challenge despite years of international efforts to protect commercial shipping routes.
Turkish Surveillance and Airstrike Reported
Following the hijacking, two Turkish-owned vessels reportedly approached the LUTUF, while Turkish helicopters and drones monitored the area. The developments suggest that the cargo and the vessel’s connection to a Turkish military training facility may have prompted heightened attention from Turkish-linked maritime and security assets.
A particularly significant development occurred on Tuesday. According to the Somali official cited by AP, a small boat carrying two men approached the hijacked vessel and delivered khat, a stimulant commonly chewed in Somalia. After the boat returned to shore, an airstrike reportedly took place, killing four men and injuring two others. However, it remains unclear who carried out the airstrike and whether those killed or wounded were directly involved in the hijacking.
The status of the cargo, including the Turkish weapons and communications equipment, has also not been independently confirmed following the reported strike.
Growing Concern Over Indian Seafarers
The presence of six Indian nationals on the hijacked vessel has made the incident a significant concern for India. Indian seafarers are frequently employed on international merchant vessels, and piracy incidents in the waters around Somalia and the Gulf of Aden have previously raised concerns about their safety.
For now, authorities have not publicly confirmed whether negotiations for the crew’s release are underway or whether any rescue operation has been launched. Further information is expected as officials assess the situation and establish contact with the vessel and its crew.
The incident also highlights the continuing security risks facing commercial shipping in the western Indian Ocean. Any prolonged disruption involving the LUTUF could have wider implications because of the vessel’s reported military-linked cargo and its location near Somalia’s Puntland region.
Authorities are expected to closely monitor developments while efforts continue to determine the condition of the six Indian crew members and their fellow sailors. Until official confirmation emerges, details surrounding the reported airstrike, the pirates’ current position and the fate of the crew remain subject to investigation.
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