New Delhi: Six Indian nationals are among 10 crew members aboard a cargo ship that was hijacked by armed Somali pirates off the coast of Puntland, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers and the return of piracy in waters around the Horn of Africa.
The Cameroon flagged M/V LUTUF was seized on August 17 near Marraya in Puntland's Eyl district. The vessel was reportedly taken toward the Nugaal coast after armed men boarded the ship and took control of it. The crew includes six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian national and two Serbian security personnel.
The ship is owned by Polar Movement Shipping and was reportedly carrying Turkish weapons, communications equipment and satellite equipment. The weapons were said to be destined for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu. The presence of military related cargo has made the incident particularly sensitive and has drawn attention from authorities and maritime security agencies in the region.
Reports indicate that eight armed pirates were involved in the hijacking. The group is believed to have links to an earlier hijacking in the area, suggesting that the latest attack may be connected to a wider network of Somali pirate groups that have become active again along the country's coastline.
After taking control of the LUTUF, the pirates moved the vessel toward the Nugaal coast. Turkish vessels and aerial units, including helicopters and drones, were reportedly monitoring the situation. The developments have added another layer of tension to an already difficult security situation in the region.
A major development came after a small boat reportedly approached the hijacked vessel and delivered khat to the pirates. Khat is a plant commonly chewed as a stimulant in Somalia. After the boat returned to shore, an airstrike reportedly killed four people and injured two others near the Nugaal coast.
The exact identity of those who carried out the airstrike remains unclear. Reports have pointed to the involvement of Turkish military assets, but there has been no detailed public confirmation from Turkish authorities. It is also not independently clear whether everyone killed in the strike was directly involved in the hijacking.
The condition of the LUTUF crew has therefore remained a major concern. Initial reports did not provide confirmation that the vessel had been recovered or that all of the crew had been freed. Later information indicated that the Indian sailors were safe, but details about their exact situation and the status of the vessel remained limited.
The incident is particularly significant for India because Indian nationals make up a large part of the international maritime workforce. Indian sailors regularly work on commercial ships travelling through the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean, areas that have faced security threats from piracy and armed groups.
The LUTUF hijacking has also occurred at a time when another commercial vessel carrying Indian sailors was reportedly seized in the Gulf of Aden. The Eritrea flagged M.T. Sibu 1, an oil products tanker, had 20 crew members on board, including 16 Indians. The crew of that vessel was reported safe.
Together, the two incidents involve 22 Indian nationals and have renewed attention on the security of major shipping routes between Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Somali piracy had declined sharply after international naval patrols, armed security teams and stronger ship protection measures were introduced following a major wave of attacks more than a decade ago. In recent months, however, maritime security agencies have recorded a renewed increase in pirate activity.
Several vessels have reportedly been held by Somali pirate groups this year. The resurgence has raised concerns that criminal groups could once again take advantage of weak coastal security, political instability and the large distances covered by international shipping routes.
The latest hijacking also comes at a difficult time for regional maritime security because ships travelling through the Gulf of Aden and nearby waters already face threats linked to the wider instability around Yemen and the Red Sea.
For the families of the six Indian sailors aboard the LUTUF, the immediate priority remains their safety. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the vessel and working through diplomatic and maritime channels to establish the crew's condition and secure their safe release.
The incident is a reminder that despite years of international efforts to suppress Somali piracy, the threat has not completely disappeared. The return of armed attacks on commercial ships could create serious risks for seafarers, shipping companies and one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.