Defence ministry says a boarding party from the Chinese Navy ship went on board the ship OS 35, while the Indian Naval helicopter provided air cover for the operation. Photo: AFPDelhi/London/Nairobi: Chinese navy ship supported by an Indian navy helicopter thwarted an attack on a Tuvalu-flagged merchant ship by suspected Somali pirates, India’s defence ministry said on Sunday. The Indian defence ministry said four of its navy ships in the vicinity responded to a distress signal from the ship and reached the bulk carrier early on Sunday. “An Indian Navy helicopter undertook aerial reconnaissance of the merchant vessel at night, and at sunrise ... (to) ascertain the location of pirates, if still on board,” the defence ministry said in a statement. The attempted hijacking comes days after pirates seized an Indian dhow that was on route to Bossaso from Dubai.

Source: Mint April 09, 2017 11:15 UTC