After Somali pirates hijacked the MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi merchant vessel on its way from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates, they are demanding a $5 million ransom for the release of the crew.
The ship was taken over by pirates earlier this month.
India promptly responded to the seizure of the ship, dispatching naval vessels in response and intercepting it on March 14th.
An offer from India has been extended to the ship’s owner and the Bangladeshi government to run operations aboard the ship. They have since remained in proximity of the vessel since its interception.
Naval Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar said on Saturday, March 23rd, that the Indian Navy is keeping a “close watch” on the ship, noting it could be repurposed as a “mother ship” for future operations.
