This Article is From Jun 18, 2011

Reports of aggression incorrect: Indian Navy on Pak allegations about warship escorting Suez

Reports of aggression incorrect: Indian Navy on Pak allegations about warship escorting Suez

INS Godavari (left) and PNS Babur

Islamabad: Pakistan, on Friday, lodged a protest with the Indian government over an incident in which an Indian warship allegedly brushed with a Pakistani frigate escorting MV Suez, an Egyptian-owned ship that was recently freed by Somali pirates after the payment of ransom.

Pakistan's protest was lodged through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad over the "serious incident" that occurred on Thursday, said a statement issued by Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua. (Read: Pak statement on complaint against Indian ship)

The statement alleged that the Indian Navy warship Godavari "not only hampered humanitarian operations being carried out by Pakistan Navy Ship Babur for Merchant Vessel Suez but also undertook dangerous manoeuvres, which resulted in the brushing of the sides" of the two warships.

"This incident constitutes a serious violation of international regulations pertaining to safe conduct at high seas and of the India-Pakistan Agreement of 1991 on Advance Notice of Military Exercise Manoeuvres and Troop Movements," the statement claimed.

"The Indian government has been asked to ensure non-recurrence of such incidents," the statement said.

The Navy today, meanwhile, dismissed Pakistan's allegation that its warship had brushed PNS Babur escorting MV Suez, saying the "reports of aggression" are "incorrect and based on misinformation".

"Reports of aggression by INS Godavari are incorrect and based on misinformation," a Navy official said here.

The alleged incident is of a serious nature considering both INS Godavari and the PNS Babur are missile-armed frigates, commanded by crews trained to fight each other.

Both are relatively old warships but have been upgraded by their respective Navies over the years. The Godavari is an indigenous frigate based on a British design while the PNS Babur was transferred to the Pakistan Navy in 1993 from the Royal Navy where it was known as the HMS Amazon. The Godavari comprehensively outguns the Pakistani warship based on its superior missile battery. Both ships are considered frontline warships.

PNS Babur is escorting MV Suez, which was released by Somali pirates earlier this week after over two million dollars was paid as ransom for its 22-member crew, including four Pakistanis and six Indians.

Pakistani rights activist Ansar Burney, who played a key role in negotiations with the pirates for the release of MV Suez, told PTI that the ship's crew members will be repatriated to their respective countries by June 20.

Besides the Indians and Pakistanis, the crew includes a Sri Lankan and 11 Egyptians.
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