Pak protests Indian warship 'brushing' with its frigate

PAK-INDIA
From Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Jun 18 (PTI) Pakistan has lodged a protest
with India over an incident in which an Indian warship
allegedly brushed with a Pakistani frigate escorting an
Egyptian-owned ship that was recently freed by Somali pirates
after the payment of ransom.
The protest was lodged with the Indian High
Commission in Islamabad over the "serious incident" that
occurred yesterday, a statement issued by Foreign Office
spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said on Friday night.
The Indian Navy warship Godavari "not only hampered
humanitarian operations being carried out by Pakistan Navy
Ship Babur for (Egyptian) Merchant Vessel (MV) Suez but also
undertook dangerous manoeuvres, which resulted in the brushing
of the sides" of the two warships, the statement alleged.
"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,"
it claimed.
"The Indian government has been asked to ensure
non-recurrence of such incidents," the statement said.
PNS Babur is escorting and assisting MV Suez, which
was released by Somali pirates earlier this week after over
two million dollars were paid as ransom for its 22-member
crew, including six Indians and four Pakistanis.
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. PTI RHL
ASH