Striking again, Somali pirates have hijacked a Dubai-based cargo vessel taking 11 Indians hostage . The fresh strike came even as the government is trying to rescue nearly 100 Indian sailors on board eight vessels which were seized by pirates off the Somalian coast about a week back. <br/><br/>Reacting to the situation,External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told reporters, Somalian pirates are always springing up surprises and Government would take up the matter with authorities concerned. Shipping Secretary K Mohandas said that there were about 100 Indian sailors on board the hijacked ships and so far there was no information on their fate.<br/><br/>Director General of Shipping, Lakshmi Venkatchalam,however, said the Government has indication about the location of some of the missing vessels which had reached certain ports not allowed for traders. She said,India is in touch with Indian missions in Seychelles and Nairobi, working out ways to rescue the hostages.<br/><br/>Mrs. Venkatchalam said the Government has issued a notification prohibiting Indian Sailing vessels (Dhows) to trade in piracy-infested areas.According to the Naval headquarters in Delhi, the abduction of the sailors took place at high seas off the Somalia coast in the Gulf of Aden a week ago.<br/>
News On AIR | March 31, 2010 9:00 PM
Somali pirates hijack another ship, take 11 Indians hostages