India Sinks Pirate 'Mother Ship'

Send it to Davy Jones' Locker
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 19, 2008 6:51 AM CST
India Sinks Pirate 'Mother Ship'
In this Nov. 11, 2008 file photo made available by Indian Navy, Indian warship INS Tabar, right, escorts the MV Jag Arnav ship to safety after rescuing it from a hijack attempt by Somali pirates.    (AP Photo/Indian Navy, HO, File)

An Indian warship sent a large pirate vessel to Davy Jones’ Locker, after a pitched four- to five-hour sea battle, the New York Times reports, marking the second time in a week that India has clashed with suspected hijackers. The ship, which the Indian commander described as a “mother ship” was surrounded by two smaller vessels, which sped away as it burned.

The Indian commander says he tried to halt the ship, but the vessel responded that it “would blow up the naval warship if it closed her. Pirates were seen roaming on the upper deck with guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.” As the Indian warship closed, the pirates fired. Indian ships have been given permission to aggressively confront pirates, a retired major general says. But despite the growing international heat, the pirates nabbed two more boats yesterday. (More pirates stories.)

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