At least six Indians are among a 10-member crew aboard a Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel that was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland region earlier this week, according to reports.
The merchant ship LUTUF was seized on Monday approximately 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district, the Associated Press reported, citing a Somali official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information.
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Eight pirates, reportedly linked to a group previously accused of hijacking another merchant vessel, Sward, on April 26, took control of the ship and moved it towards the Puntland coast near Garmaal in the Dangoroyo district.
According to the official, LUTUF was carrying Turkish-made weapons destined for a military training facility in Mogadishu, along with communications and satellite equipment. The vessel is owned by Polar Movement Shipping.
The hijacking highlights continued concerns over piracy along Somalia’s coastline, where armed groups have previously targeted commercial vessels passing through the region.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
