New Delhi, Feb 2 (Reporter) As many as seven incidents of hijacking of vessels on high seas by pirates have been reported during the last three years, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. In a written reply, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt stated that Indian Navy has enhanced presence of ships, aerial surveillance by maritime patrol aircraft/remotely piloted aircraft in the central Arabian Sea and Off East of Coast of Somalia towards restoring maritime security in the region. Moreover, zero piracy incidents have been reported in Palk Strait, he added. He informed that on January 4-5 of this year a Merchant Vessel – Lila Norfolk was hijacked with 21 crew members onboard that included 15 Indian nationals. Further, two hijacking incidents occurred involving Fishing Vessel – IMAN (January 28, 2024) and Fishing Vessel - AI Naeemi (January 29, 2024) which did not have any Indian crew onboard. He said that the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with the regional and extra-regional navies / maritime forces, to promote maritime security. Since 2008, Indian Navy has deployed units in Gulf of Aden and East Coast of Africa towards anti-piracy patrols. A total of 3,440 ships and over 25,000 seafarers have been safely escorted. For restoring maritime security in the region, enhanced presence of ships, aerial surveillance by maritime patrol aircraft and remotely piloted aircraft in the Central Arabian Sea and Off East of Coast of Somalia is being undertaken by Indian Navy. Information is also exchanged with national and international maritime security agencies for early response in a coordinated manner, effective liaison and coordination with DG (Shipping) for inputs on Indian crew onboard Merchant vessels plying in Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden and adjoining region. In addition, interrogation of fishing vessels and dhows operating in the region is also being undertaken by Indian Navy for maintaining maritime security in the region, the house was informed...////...