Banderbayla (WDN) — A cargo vessel has been hijacked by suspected pirates off the coast of Banderbayla in Puntland, in a development that signals a troubling resurgence of maritime insecurity in the region.
The ship, reportedly owned by a Pakistani company and carrying fuel destined for the port of Garacad, was seized approximately 30 miles offshore. It is understood to have 11 crew members on board, including nationals from India and Pakistan.
According to local sources that talk to WardheerNews, the vessel is now being held near the coastal area of Dharinbaar within Banderbayla district. Details surrounding the circumstances of the hijacking remain limited, but the incident has already raised alarm among maritime operators and regional authorities.
The pirate group is said to be under increasing pressure from both local communities and Puntland security forces. Unconfirmed reports suggest the hijackers may be considering abandoning the vessel, particularly given that the cargo is believed to belong to Somali traders.
The seizure comes barely a month after a similar incident in March, when another vessel was released following the payment of a ransom in the same coastal area. The back-to-back incidents have intensified concerns that piracy networks, once largely dormant, may be regaining momentum along Puntland’s coastline.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the latest hijacking, but the incident underscores growing fears about the security of key maritime routes in the Gulf of Aden corridor.
WardheerNews
