The authorities in Central Somalia said, the Somali security forces, have rescued a hijacked Indian cargo ship, but the pirates took the 11-member crew with them, when they fled to the land.

Earlier this month, the Al Kausar vessel was seized off the Indian Ocean coast, near Yemen. This was part of a line of the attacks of the Somali pirates. No such incidents were reported in the recent years.

Galmudug State Vice President, Mohamed Hashi Arabey, told Reuters, that, “We attacked the Indian ship and rescued it, but the pirates took away the 11 crew. We rescued two crew and they went with nine crew into the hilly areas between El Hur and Hardheere.”

A federal, State, within the Horn of African country, Galmudug, operates its own security forces. The Vice President said, the two crew members were in a car, that the pirates had to abandon, after they were chased.

The pirates reported Reuters that, they would keep the crew members, and use as bargaining chips, for the freedom of pirates, who are imprisoned in India.

One of the pirates, Saiid said, “We encouraged our friends to run away with the crew, if they are attacked so, that they exchange for the release of 117 pirates jailed in India.”

“We are ready to reinforce our friends so that Galmudug forces do not rescue the nine crew of the Indian ship.”

The Somalia pirate attacks increased by 237, in 2012. But, however, the attacks declined gradually after ship owners improved security measures and international naval patrols have set up patrols since then. But this month, a new rash of attacks, was clearly visible, with two ships captured and a third one rescued by Indian and Chinese forces after the crew, communicated by radio for help and locked themselves in a safe room.

The residents of the Somali coastline, have said that, the piracy has again started after local authorities issued permits for foreign fishing vessels to fish in Somali waters. The foreign vessels have cut nets, belonging to local and runs down small boats.

By Supraja