Indian trawler hijacked by LTTE sunk in Maldivian waters

In fact, the patrol vessel that engaged the LTTE-controlled boat for over 10 hours was handed over by India in April last year when the then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Maldives.

Huravee, the Maldives Coastguard ship that sunk the trawler is a fast patrol vessel equipped with a 30 mm Medak gun. It was earlier known as INS Tillanchang and its transfer was described as an effort to ensure “peace, stability and tranquillity” in the region.

This apart, it’s learnt that help was extended in the form of reconnaissance while the Maldives coastguards engaged the LTTE-controlled boat.

On the night of May 17, sources said, a fishing trawler was spotted by fishermen in Maldivian waters and they tried to chase it away. But there was firing from the trawler and the Maldives Coastguard was alerted. Immediately, Maldives officials informed Indian authorities and even sought assistance in trying to ascertain details of the trawler.

It’s learnt that Indian reconnaissance aircraft were pressed into action as Maldives moved the Huravee that engaged the boat called Sri Krishna — apparently registered in Kerala — for over 10 hours before sinking it at 8.30 am on May 18.

Of the nine-member crew, four were killed while the remaining five were captured. The trawler mechanic is said to be one Simon Soza from Kerala who chose to surrender.

Details have emerged that the trawler was hijacked by the LTTE along the India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary on May 12. While all the fishermen were released, the mechanic was held captive. The motive now becomes clear as the trawler re-appeared in Maldivian territorial waters on May 17. Clearly, the trawler, sources said, had sufficient arms and ammunition for the LTTE to engage in a lengthy stand-off.

While Colombo is understood to have sought access to those nabbed by Maldivian authorities, questioning is underway to determine the purpose of the mission which is likely to be linked with shipping of arms and ammunition for the LTTE.

India has responded to Maldives in the past when the Indian Navy was pressed into action in 1988 as an attempt...