An Iranian fishing vessel was released after a piracy incident in the Arabian Sea, confirmed by the Indian Navy’s press service and reported by TASS, citing official channels from India’s maritime security authorities. The situation unfolded on the evening of March 28, when authorities detected a piracy threat about 150 kilometers southwest of Socotra Island. Two Indian Navy ships, already patrolling the region to safeguard vital sea lanes, moved toward the Iranian fishing boat Al Qambar. Upon arrival, authorities found nine armed pirates aboard and 23 crew members who were Pakistani nationals held as hostages. The standoff lasted roughly half a day, during which Indian forces compelled the pirates to surrender. The rescued crew members were unharmed, and no injuries were reported among the sailors or the rescuers, according to official statements from the Indian Navy press service.
Earlier, on March 26, ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet conducted a maritime security exercise in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. The drills focused on anti piracy operations and featured the missile cruiser Varyag and the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov. The exercise demonstrated coordinated actions against hostile boardings and threats from unmanned surface and aerial systems, including a simulated large-scale assault using heavy machine guns and AK 630 anti aircraft artillery. All designated targets were neutralized during the training objectives, illustrating preparedness for real world contingencies.
By March 28, units from the Russian Pacific Fleet were moving toward the Red Sea as part of a show of combined readiness and deterrence across critical international lanes of communication. In parallel, a broader multinational effort included a Spanish led group accompanying a Russian fleet escort and an oil tanker, underscoring ongoing cooperation to maintain lawful passage and maritime safety through contested corridors in the region.
These events highlight ongoing international coordination in anti piracy operations and force protection across major transit routes near the Horn of Africa and adjacent seas. Maritime security authorities underscore the importance of rapid response, precise command and control, and interoperability among allied navies to deter piracy and safeguard crews and cargo. The reports align with sustained efforts to monitor, deter, and resolve piracy threats while ensuring the safe return of seafarers to their homes and livelihoods.