Navy warship, patrol aircraft shadowing hijacked vessel

An Indian warship and maritime patrol aircraft are closely tracking a hijacked Malta-flagged vessel, which is now headed towards the coast of Somalia with the armed pirates and 28 crew members on board, after swiftly responding to its distress call in the Arabian Sea. "The Indian warship, which was on an anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, is following the hijacked vessel named MV Ruen. The overall situation is being closely monitored in coordination with other agencies and the MNF (multi-national force) in the area," a naval spokesperson said.