Foreign Military Personnel Withdraw from Local Fishing Vessels

Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) disclosed last night that armed foreign soldiers, who had boarded three fishing vessels, departed after a two-hour encounter.

According to BKMU, the incident was brought to their attention by one of the fishing vessels involved, which promptly notified both BKMU and the Coastguard.

The armed soldiers reportedly targeted three fishing vessels – namely, ‘Asuruma-3’, ‘Neru-7’, and ‘Maahoara-3’ – while operating within Maldivian waters. BKMU stated that initially, four soldiers boarded the ‘Asuruma 3’, later joined by several.

BKMU reported that the soldiers sought to obtain the satellite phone number from the vessel’s captain. However, following Coastguard instructions, the captain refrained from disclosing the number.

In an earlier statement, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) acknowledged being alerted to the incident, confirming that a foreign military team boarded a fishing boat within the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Before the MNDF’s statement, BKMU had reported the involvement of an Indian navy ship in the boarding of ‘Asuruma-3’, a fishing boat from ADh. Mahibadhoo.

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam voiced concern over the incident, highlighting that ‘Asuruma-3’ was fishing around 72 miles off HA. Thuraakanu when boarded by the soldiers.