Somali Pirates Role Not Ruled Out: Indian Naval Official

[Abwaan]

KOCHI, NOVEMBER 27 (PTI)

A top Indian naval official on Thursday said he would not rule out the role of Somali pirates in the terror strikes in Mumbai in view of the recent action by the Navy against the sea bandits in the Gulf of Aden.

 

Asked whether there can be any connection between the pirates and the attacks in Mumbai, Vice Admiral Sunil K Damle, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, said such a thing cannot be ruled out.

 

"I cannot say but I will not rule it out. I cannot say whether there is connection or not. All I am saying is that we very strongly suspect such a thing can happen," he told reporters on board the INS Tir.

 

"It is a fact that our action against the Somali pirates in the recent past has got the Indian Navy into focus particularly in that area", he said, adding this also brought in a danger...Indian Navy being targetted by these people also in addition to the terrorists," he said.

 

"These bad elements unfortunately have a fair amount of illegal money at their disposal. Even if Somali pirates were not taking direct action against us, there is every possibility of them pumping in the money into such organisations which are capable of taking terrorist action against us", he said.

 

On reports that the attackers had sneaked in to Mumbai through sea routes, he said "we have already started investigating the vessels which are considered suspicious on the west coast, particularly in the vicinity of Mumbai".

 

He said the Navy has stepped up security not only as a result of what is happening in Mumbai. "We have already taken security measures because we feel they could be target of those who feel threatened by the naval action. We have tightened various kind of security measures", he said.

 

Damle said the Navy was assisting Mumbai police and NSG in the operations against the terrorists.On security measures initiated by the Navy, he said that in the past one year offshore patrol vessels 'Sujata' and 'Sharda' and Fast Attack Craft Bangaram have been extensively deployed for patrolling duties off the coast of Kerala and off the Lakshadweep islands. These ships also monitor the Sea Lanes of Communication or SLOCs passing close to Kerala and Lakshadweep, he said.

 

He said the recent decisive intervention by the Indian Navy off the coast of Somalia is a timely reminder that the Navy is capable of protecting the country's maritime interests.

 

He said the Indian Navy's initiative to take action against Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden has been recognised all over the world.

[Geel_jire]

that made me laugh ... haven't they heard it is better to keep you mouth shut then open it and confirm your *********.

 

nothing like making ridiculously ****** claims to cover up even more stupider actions

[nuune]

^^^ loool, is another way of sayin Somali Pirates are behind the recent Mumbai Bombing

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Qaraxyadaan iyo shirqoolkaan Hindiya ka dhacay daraad waxaa ku ogaaday how Galbeedka's media aad iyo aad u buuniyaan dadkooda markee wax ku dhacaan. I always knew that, but this one finally xirtay the fact of that.

 

Qaraxyo mar walba ka dhaco Hindiya, oo boqolaal iska dhinto, but this one a few Reer Galbeed ah ku jiraan ama la hijack gareeye iyo meelahee degaan ama ku caweys qaataan la duqeeye -- it is all different, their media all went mad.