This Article is From Jul 17, 2012

India wants case against US Navy for shooting at fishermen near Dubai

India wants case against US Navy for shooting at fishermen near Dubai
New Delhi: India has sought a report from its Ambassador in the UAE on the killing of an Indian fisherman in a US Navy ship firing at a docking point in Dubai even as the US on Tuesday said the incident is under investigation.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has sought a report on the incident from Indian Ambassador to Dubai, M K Lokesh, apart from asking the government there to investigate the case, official sources said in New Delhi. (Read: India's statement on the incident.)

An Indian fisherman was killed and three others were wounded on Monday when a security team on board a US Navy ship fired at their small boat off Dubai. The fishing boat had four Indians and two Emirate nationals on board when the incident took place in Jabel Ali, a frequent docking point for American naval vessels about 30 miles southwest of Dubai, according to an UAE official. (Read: Indian fishermen survived a hail of gunfire from US boat)

Meanwhile, the US embassy here issued a very brief statement maintaining that firing took place after "the vessel disregarded non-lethal warnings and rapidly approached the US ship." (Read: US statement on the incident)

"The Embassy of the US would like to convey its condolences to the families of the crew of a small motor vessel, which came under fire from the USNS Rappahannock on July 16, after the vessel disregarded non-lethal warnings and rapidly approached the US ship. We wish to inform you that the incident is under investigation," the embassy statement said.

According to sources, the Indian Embassy in Washington also got in touch with the Pentagon and the State Department soon after the incident to seek details. (Should India take a tougher stand in the matter? Vote here)

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