An Indian naval frigate sunk a pirate vessel after repulsing an attack in the Gulf of Aden in a significant blow to the sea brigands at the heart of their operations in a third successive strike in as many weeks.

The success for INS Tabar to neutralise rising sea piracy off Somalia came in the first major offensive from among dozens of warships from several countries protecting shipping lanes in the area when it destroyed the 'mother ship' of a group of pirates after a fierce battle on Tuesday.

The pro-active operation from the Indian Navy comes a week after it saved two merchant vessels--one from India and other from Saudi Arabia-- from being hijacked by sea pirates on Nov 11 in the Gulf of Aden near the Horn of Africa.

The Navy said the stealth frigate, currently deployed there for anti-piracy surveillance and patrol operations, successfully took on the pirates last evening, 285 nautical miles south west off Salalah in Oman. The frigate was deployed for the anti-piracy mission since November 2.

INS Tabar encountered the pirates' mother ship with two speed boats in tow and there were about 20 pirates on board the ship, it is learnt. Pirates use mother ships, generally hijacked trawlers, to tow speedboats from which they launch their attacks. They are also loaded with food, diesel and water.

"This pirate vessel was similar in description to the 'Mother Vessel' mentioned in various piracy bulletins. INS Tabar closed in on the vessel and asked her to stop for investigation," a Navy spokesperson said.

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