Somalian pirates have spread web, operating close to India: Vice-admiral

Somalian pirates are moving closer to India, said vice-admiral Anil Chopra, director-general coast guard, on the eve of the 34th Coast Guard Day.

During his annual press conference on Monday, Chopra said, “There’s no government in Somalia, so there’s no stopping them. Earlier they operated in the Gulf of Aden but now they can be found in the Indian Ocean, in the high seas. The Indian government was investigating if these pirates have any linkages with Pakistan-based terror groups.”

These pirates are moving eastwards and they operate in the middle of the oceans with a mother ship and small boats, Chopra said, adding Somalian piracy was not a threat to India but to all merchant vessels passing by the route. Lakshadweep is the western-most point for the pirates, who are operating

between this island chain and Maldives.

Fifteen Somalian pirates were apprehended by the Indian naval ship INS Cankarso on January 29th, 75 miles from Lakshadweep islands, from pirate mother vessel Prantalay in a joint effort by the coast guard and Indian Navy.

About the pirates having links with terror groups, Chopra said, “When piracy is happening so close to India, there would be speculation about any such linkages (between them and Pakistan-based groups). Intelligence agencies are investigating to find out if there is a connection between them.”

The coast guard and the navy have jointly launched a patrol exercise called ‘Island Watch’ around Lakshadweep Islands since November 2010. The exercise will become an operation depending on intelligence inputs, in which case the navy will take control. Aircraft and ships of both the services have been especially deployed in Lakshadweep for the purpose.

Retired vice-admiral KK Nayar on Monday called for new United Nations Laws of the Seas to safeguard the massive volume of trade through the waters.

DG coast guard also informed that the service would soon get an additional DG for the first time, and there would be 42 new coast guard stations set up all around the country. More than 40 new coastal stations for the radar network will also be set up across the country.