By Somalilandtimes network

New Delhi, March 7, 2006 – An Indian ship Bhaktisagar, which was sailing from Porbandar to Dubai via Somalia, has been hijacked in the Somalian waters along with its 22 crew members including captain Razzak Isak.

"It was hijacked between February 23 and 24," the owner of the ship, Hiren Desai, said, adding that the hijackers have demanded a ransom of Rs 4 lakh for its release.

Earlier this week, the US Navy rescued a 3,000-tonne cargo ship which was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, the vessel's captain said.

The wave of attacks has badly shaken merchant shipping in the region, which relies heavily on international trade routes that snake along Somalia's coastline - the longest of any African country.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported 37 attacks on ships in the region since March last year.

Somalia has had no functioning central administration since the 1991 ouster of strongman Mohamed Siyad Barre and pirates have increasingly taken advantage of the lack of authority in the 3700 km coastline.

Source: CNN-IBN, Mar. 07, 2006