At least six Indians were among a 10-member crew aboard a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship reportedly hijacked by pirates off Somalia’s Puntland coast earlier this week. The vessel, LUTUF, was carrying Turkish weapons, communications equipment and satellite technology, according to a Somali official cited by the Associated Press. The ship was seized on Monday about 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district. The attack has raised concerns over renewed piracy activity in waters near Somalia, where commercial vessels have previously faced threats from armed groups operating along the coast.

According to the official, eight pirates took control of the vessel and directed it towards the Nugaal coast. The ship was reportedly moved towards the area near Garmaal in Puntland’s Dangoroyo district. The official spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to publicly discuss sensitive information. The vessel was reportedly transporting weapons intended for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu. It was also carrying communications and satellite equipment. The cargo, along with the presence of an international crew, could make the incident particularly sensitive for authorities attempting to secure the safe release of those onboard.

The ship is owned by Polar Movement Shipping, according to the Somali official. Details about the vessel’s exact route, its departure point and the circumstances of the hijacking were not immediately available. It was also unclear whether the pirates had made any demands or established contact with the ship’s owners or government authorities. Reports indicated that the pirates may be linked to a group allegedly involved in the hijacking of another merchant vessel, Sward, on April 26. If confirmed, the connection could offer investigators information about the group’s methods, operational base and possible intentions in the latest incident.

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The presence of six Indian nationals among the crew is likely to prompt close monitoring by Indian authorities. The safety of Indian seafarers involved in international shipping has remained a key concern during piracy incidents in the waters around the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the wider western Indian Ocean. Somalia’s Puntland region has previously been associated with piracy networks that target commercial vessels for ransom. Although international naval patrols and improved security measures reduced piracy incidents for several years, attacks and attempted hijackings have continued to pose a risk in parts of the region.

The latest incident also highlights the vulnerability of vessels carrying sensitive cargo. Weapons and military-related equipment can increase the security implications of a hijacking, particularly when the destination involves a foreign military facility. Authorities are expected to assess both the condition of the crew and the status of the cargo as efforts to resolve the situation continue. No further details were immediately available regarding the crew’s condition, the ship’s present location or any rescue operation. The identities of the six Indian crew members and the remaining sailors have also not been disclosed. Further information is expected as Somali authorities, the ship’s owner and the governments concerned respond to the hijacking.

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