Six Indians aboard cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia’s coast
A Cameroon-flagged cargo ship carrying Turkish military equipment was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, with six Indian nationals among the crew. Reports indicate an airstrike occurred near the vessel following the hijacking, though details remain unverified.
Why it matters
The incident underscores ongoing maritime security threats in the Horn of Africa and the risks to international shipping crews.
Six Indians were aboard a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship hijacked by pirates off Somalia's Puntland coast earlier this week, a Somali official said on Thursday (August 20, 2026).
The M/V LUTUF, which was carrying Turkish weapons, was seized on Monday (August 17, 2026) and taken by the pirates toward the region's Nugaal coast.
The ship was seized about three and a half nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland's Eyl district, the official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because he wasn't authorised to speak publicly about sensitive information.
The ship, owned by Polar Movement Shipping, was carrying weapons bound for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu, as well as communications and satellite equipment, the official said.
The 10-member crew included six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian and two Serbian security guards, he said.
There was no immediate comment from Turkish authorities about the incident.
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