Indian cargo hijacked by Somali pirates
The ship set off from Mandavi in Mumbai and was on its way to Yemen's Al Mukala port from Dubai.
The incident took place on Saturday last.
According to reports, the captain of the ship had managed to apprise authorities in Dubai and owner of the vessel.
Details of the incident are still awaited.
Earlier on March 15, armed men had demanded a ransom for the release of an oil tanker off the coast of Somalia. The crew were later released apparantly without conditions. ent was the first hijack off the Somali coast since 2012.
"We understand Somali pirates hijacked a commercial Indian ship and [it is heading] towards Somalia shores," Abdirizak Mohamed Dirir, a former director of Puntland's anti-piracy agency, told Reuters news agency.
The privately-owned Daynile website said that attack happened some 50km (30 miles) south of the port town of Hobyo.
Piracy off the Somali coast - usually for ransom - has reduced significantly in recent years, in part because of extensive international military patrols as well as support for local fishing communities.
At the height of the crisis in 2011, there were 237 attacks and the annual cost of piracy was estimated to be up to $8bn (£7bn).
Skiff used by Somali pirates. Photo: UNODC
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