<br/>Seven Indian mechanized sailing vessels with 97 Indian Seafarers, reported missing have presumably been hijacked. According to a statement by the Director General shipping in Mumbai, these vessels were operating in the pirate infested area near the Gulf of Aden. <br/><br/>The statement said that the exact date of hijacking is yet to be confirmed. In view of the reported hijackings, the Directorate of Shipping has issued directions banning the trading of machanised sailing vessels south and west of the line joining Salalah and Male with immidiate effect.<br/><br/>