Why is it in the news?

• The Indian Navy intercepted and liberated the hijacked Iranian fishing vessel, Al-Kambar, which was held by pirates off the coast of

 More about the news

• The operation involved the coordinated efforts of two Indian Naval vessels, namely INS Sumedha and INS Trishul.
• After employing intense coercive tactical measures for more than 12 hours, the pirates aboard Al-Kambar surrendered to the Indian Navy forces.
• The crew of Al-Kambar, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, was safely rescued by the Indian Navy during the operation.
• Indian Naval specialist teams are currently conducting thorough sanitization and seaworthiness checks on Al-Kambar to ensure its safety and readiness for future operations.
• The incident took place approximately 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra, an island off the coast of Yemen.
• This incident is part of a series of piracy incidents that have occurred in the Arabian Sea and off the coast of Somalia in recent months, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maritime security in the region.
• Additionally, the situation underscores the continuing threat of piracy, as another vessel, the Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel Al Abdullah, remains in captivity of Somali pirates since around March 12, indicating the need for continued vigilance and response from international maritime forces.