Jakarta, April 16: Indonesia has deployed troops to the seas off Somalia to pick up its 20 sailors held hostage by pirates once the negotiations for their release are finalised, an official said today.
“The Indonesian military has sent troops to Somalia on March 23 to pick up our people and bring them home if necessary,” Coordinating Ministry of Political, Security and Legal Affairs spokesman Sagom Tamboen told AFP.
“The carrier can still be hijacked once they are released,” he said.
Tamboen said Jakarta sent two frigates with about 400 marines and army personnel to waters off the east coast of Africa.
“The government is facilitating the company responsible for the crew members for its final negotiation. The company is still trying to figure out the mechanism to pay the 3-million ransom,” he said.
-Agencies