Despite uncertainty regarding the timing of the return of the captive crewmen of the hijacked vessel MV Abdullah, the owning authorities expressed optimism about their swift return on Sunday, the fourth day of establishing communication with the pirates.

Insiders noted that the combined pressures from international naval forces and Somali police to rescue the seamen and the vessel are hastening the negotiation process. Additionally, the imminent approach of Eid-ul-Fitr is also influencing the discussions. They are trying to take advantage of every opportunity for the safe and faster return of the crews and the vessel. 

The owning authority, Kabir Group, Media Adviser Mizanul Islam said that talks with the pirates are now in progress. “We have got the real representative of the pirates and necessary issues are being discussed in phases.”

Mizanul declined to disclose specific details but said, “At this stage of the discussion, we are hopeful of the prompt return of the crews and the vessel.”

Asked whether it is possible before Eid-ul-Fitr, the media adviser said there are 17 days in hand before Eid and they expect a good result soon.

Regarding equipping the ship with heavy arms, the spokesperson said they did not receive any official message in this regard. “We met the crew members’ family on Saturday and assured them of giving good news within a short time.”

Earlier, the police of Puntland, a federal member state in northeastern Somalia, reportedly launched a raid to isolate the pirate gang and disrupt communication among them, following the hijacking of the MV Abdullah.

This development came as the Indian Navy is closely monitoring the hijacked vessel while EU warships have been deployed near the pirate-prone location.

The BBC Somali service ran a news report regarding the efforts of the Puntland police in this regard on Friday.

According to the BBC report, quoting Commander Mohamed Ali Ahmed Marduuf of the Nugal Regional Police Department, said they were carrying out an operation in the East to isolate the pirates so that they had no access to any help from the East.

Meanwhile, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Saturday that the Indian Navy will take decisive action to ensure safety and security in the Indian Ocean.

The Indian Navy is keeping a close watch on the MV Abdullah, he said while speaking on the 100 days of the Indian Navy’s operations for anti-drone, anti-missile and anti-piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Red Sea, reports media.

Meanwhile, amid escalating piracy incidents in recent months, Operation Atalanta, an EU maritime security mission in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, has deployed warships to patrol pirate-prone areas near the current location of MV Abdullah.

In an update shared on X in the early hours of Friday, Operation Atalanta released three photos and a video showcasing their operational efforts centred around the hijacked MV Abdullah.