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| India-Pakistan |
| Indian warships in Somali waters |
| 2008-10-19 |
| Indian warships are patrolling the Gulf of Aden to protect Indian vessels transiting through this vital trade route from Somali pirates. The fate of the 18 Indian sailors on board the Japanese-owned Stolt Valor hijacked on September 15 in Somali waters still hangs in the balance, a source said Friday. The source also said that another warship has now been dispatched from Mumbai to replace INS Tabar, a Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate, which was already patrolling the Gulf of Aden to protect "Indian interests" in this "strategic choke point" of the Indian Ocean region, Times of India reported Friday. The presence of helicopters and elite marine commandos, trained for covert combat missions, on board the warships points to the possibility of a mission being mounted to rescue the 18 Indians held captive by the brigands. But the defense ministry denied any such possibility. The Gulf of Aden provides access to the Suez Canal through which a sizable portion of India's trade and Middle East oil is transited. Attacking ships has become a regular source of income (over USD 100m a year) for Somali pirates, a war-torn country without a functioning government since 1991. International pressure on the pirates is growing. NATO is sending seven ships to the treacherous waters and the Russian missile cruiser Intrepid is on its way as well. |
| Posted by:john frum |
| #2 |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2008-10-19 14:14 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2008-10-19 12:15 |