Somali pirates flee hijacked Indian boat, taking crew with them

Galmudug is a federal state within Somalia that operates its own security forces. (Source: Google Maps)

Somali security forces rescued a hijacked Indian cargo dhow on Monday, but pirates took the 11-strong crew with them when they fled to land, authorities said.

A local mayor initially said the pirates only abducted one crew member, but the state’s vice-president later said all 11 crew had been taken away by the pirates. Two were later rescued and nine remain missing, said Mohamed Hashi Arabey, vice president of Galmudug state.

The Al Kausar cargo dhow was seized earlier this month. Galmudug is a federal state within Somalia that operates its own security forces.