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Maritime security agencies across the Indian Ocean are monitoring a fluid situation off the Horn of Africa after reports confirmed that 6 Indians among 10 crew on cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates earlier this week remain held along the Puntland coastline. According to regional officials speaking to international news agencies, the Cameroon-flagged merchant vessel M/V LUTUF was intercepted by an armed group approximately 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in the Eyl district. The vessel, owned by Polar Movement Shipping, was reportedly carrying military supplies, satellite systems, and communication equipment bound for a defense training facility in Mogadishu when the boarders seized control.
The captured multinational crew consists of six Indian nationals, one Turkish citizen, one Georgian national, and two Serbian security personnel. Local maritime authorities indicate that eight armed men conducted the boarding operation, with early reports suggesting the perpetrators may be linked to an pirate network previously involved in regional ship seizures. Following the takeover, the vessel was navigated southward toward the Nugaal coastline near Garmaal in the Dangoroyo district, where it remains anchored under observation.
Subsequent reports from local sources reveal that two Turkish-owned vessels and foreign aerial assets, including helicopters and surveillance drones, have been monitoring the hijacked cargo ship’s location. A developing incident near the ship occurred when a small craft delivered supplies to the vessel and subsequently returned toward the shore, where an unconfirmed airstrike reportedly targeted the boat, resulting in casualties. Officials noted that the identity of the aircraft and whether the individuals hit were directly involved in the hijacking remain unverified independently.
The recent boarding underscores persistent vulnerabilities along strategic shipping lanes connecting the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean. Neither the ship’s flag state nor diplomatic representatives have issued formal operational updates regarding rescue attempts or negotiations. Regional naval forces and international maritime security centers continue to assess the situation while seeking to establish contact and ensure the safety of the ten crew members held aboard.