Navy to Position Warships to Counter Somali Pirates
In order to counter threat from Somali pirates, the Indian Navy has reportedly taken a decision to position two warships in the Indian Ocean area.
According to reports, these warships will be deployed close to Mauritius and the Seychelles.
A private TV news channel quoted Captain Manohar Nambiar, Chief PRO, Defence (Western Region), as saying: “We can confirm to you that the Indian Navy now has a presence in that region. We can not speak much about operations there, but yes, our ships are into surveillance activities. This is apart from our ship already patrolling the Gulf of Aden.”
The INS Tabar, a warship sent last year to counter the pirates of Somalia, will be deployed. Joining the Tabar will be the INS Shardul, a fully armed amphibious ship which can carry more than 500 troops, and the ICGS Varuna, an offshore patrol vessel armed to the teeth. The Varuna can travel 4000 nautical miles at a stretch, enough to go around the world.
It should be noted that the decision to position warships is taken following Somali pirates kidnapped over 100 Indian citizens in raids on the high seas.
