Dhaka dismisses as untrue reports in some media that the Indian Navy attacked the pirates to rescue the hijacked Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah and its crew.
Such reports "are not true at all", Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told newsmen Sunday, while the government carried on efforts reportedly by go-betweens to free the seafarers from the captors.
He said the government was trying its best to get back the ship and its crew safe and secure.
However, he notes that too much coverage on this ship could prompt the pirates to take a hard line.
They may "monitor the media coverage of this incident, and if they find that the issue is being given huge priority in the media, they may take tougher position during the negotiation".
Urging reporters to be cautious in reporting on this issue he mentioned some reports that said a sailor of the ship contacted his family on a phone hidden somewhere in the ship.
"One should understand that such report may bring dangerous consequences for the crew members," he said.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the foreign ministry told the FE that the ship, which was anchored near
Somali coast, was commandeered away from its previous position to another hijacked ship which needs fuel.
He said, "Usually the pirates provide food to the hostages, so concerns over food stock are unnecessary."
Meanwhile, representatives of the London-based insurance company which insured the ship are learnt to be in Bangladesh now to make claim assessments.
The pirates have yet to make any contact with Bangladesh authorities till Sunday, officials said.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
