Indian navy captures 23 pirates

The Indian navy said it has arrested 23 pirates who threatened a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

Navy spokesman Commander Nirad Sinha said Indian forces repulsed the pirates today as they were about to board the merchant ship.

He said the pirates are from Somalia and Yemen, two countries surrounding the Gulf of Aden.

Last month, India’s navy drew criticism after sinking a Thai fishing trawler that had been commandeered hours earlier by pirates.

The navy defended its actions, saying it had fired in self-defence.

Somali pirates have become increasingly brazen, and recently seized a Saudi supertanker loaded with $100m worth of crude oil.