Navy foils pirates' attack on merchant ship near Lakshadweep

The Indian Navy has foiled an attack by Somali pirates on a merchant ship, west of the Lakshadweep Islands, by apprehending 16 Somali pirates and rescued 16 hostages.

"The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) alerted the ships patrolling off the Lakshadweep of a distress message received from merchant ship MV Maersk Kensington at about 11:00am yesterday and foiled the attack," defence spokesperson captain M Nambiar said.

The navy apprehended 16 Somali pirates and rescued 16 hostages (crew members) of which 12 were Iranians and four Pakistanis.