There have been no incidents of piracy in the eastern Arabian Sea since March 2012, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday told parliament.In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Parrikar said: "Somali-based piracy which reached its peak in 2010-11 has been contained as a result of efforts of Indian Navy, other international naval efforts and measures adopted by the shipping industry". "There have been no incidents of piracy in the eastern Arabian Sea since March 2012," he said.
Giving out the details, the minister said in 2011, Indian Navy intercepted four pirate mother ships in eastern Arabian sea and a total of 120 Somali pirates were apprehended and 74 fishermen were rescued in these operations.The minister added these incidents took place at a distance beyond 50 nautical miles from the coast of the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands.