MOGADISHU, Nov 19: An Indian warship destroyed a pirate “mother vessel” in the Gulf of Aden, the navy said on Wednesday, as bandits demanded a ransom for a Saudi super-tanker seized in the most daring sea raid yet.

The Indian frigate INS Tabar, one of dozens of warships from several countries protecting shipping lanes in the area, attacked the Somali pirate ship late on Tuesday after coming under fire, navy spokesman Nirad Sinha said.

The incident came as shipping groups reported a new surge in hijackings off Somalia and the International Maritime Bureau said pirates based in the lawless African nation were now “out of control”.

“The INS Tabar closed in on the mother vessel and asked her to stop for investigation,” the New Delhi navy spokesman said.

“But on repeated calls, the vessel’s threatening response was that she would blow up the naval warship if it approached.”

An exchange of fire ensued, causing explosions and the navy ship then used heavy guns.

“From what we see in photographs the pirate vessel is completely destroyed,” a senior officer said.

It was the first time a mother ship had been destroyed, in the most significant blow to pirates to date.

The piracy crisis has grown since the weekend capture of the super-tanker Sirius Star. The huge vessel was carrying a full load of two million barrels of oil worth around $100 million.

The Saudi owners of Sirius Star were in negotiations on Wednesday with the pirates, the Saudi foreign minister said in Rome.

“I know that the owners of the tanker, they are negotiating on the issue,” Prince Saud al-Faisal said when asked about reports that the owners were in talks with the pirates over a possible ransom.

“We do not like to negotiate with either terrorists or hijackers, but the owners of the tankers are the final arbiters of what happens there,” Prince Faisal told reporters.

“What we know is that we are going to join the task force that we will try eradicate this threat to international trade.” The company which operates the Sirius Star has remained tight-lipped about the claims of negotiations.

Al-Jazeera TV channel broadcast an audio tape it said was of one of the pirates making a ransom demand.

“Negotiators are located on board the ship and on land. Once they have agreed on the ransom, it will be taken in cash to the oil tanker,” said the man identified as Farah Abd Jameh, who did not indicate the amount to be paid.

Vela International, owners of the ship, said it “cannot confirm, nor deny” the reports, citing the safety of the crew.

Seized in the Indian Ocean some 800km off the African coast, the Sirius Star is now anchored at the Somali pirate lair of Harardhere, according to local officials. The super-tanker has 25 crew – 19 from the Philippines, two from Britain, two from Poland, one Croatian and one Saudi. It was the largest ship yet taken by Somali pirates.

Pirates have hijacked three ships since capturing the Sirius Star.

Andrew Mwangura, from the East African Seafarers Association, said a Thai fishing boat, a Hong Kong-registered freighter, the Delight, and a Greek bulk carrier were seized on Tuesday in the Gulf of Aden.

On Wednesday, the pirates released the Hong Kong-flagged ship, MV Great Creation, and its 25 crew seized two months ago, Mwangura said, adding that it was unclear whether a ransom was paid.—AFP