British forces jail Indian captain of suspected Russian shadow tanker

British military forces have captured an Indian merchant navy officer aboard an allegedly shadow crude oil tanker in international waters, Al Jazeera reported. Captain Ajay Pant was jailed by United Kingdom authorities over Russia sanctions. Pant departed from Paradip Port in the state of Odisha, India, on April 25 on board the crude oil tanker MT Smyrtos. [1]

According to Al Jazeera, Pant has worked as a sailor for 18 years, usually spending six or seven months of each year at sea. His wife, Ritu Pant, who is based in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, stated that she recorded his ship details and emergency contacts before his departure due to heightened security risks for mariners. [1]

The arrest comes amid ongoing global security tensions affecting international shipping. The Russo-Ukrainian war began in February 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. Growing threats to international sailors have also emerged from conflicts in the Middle East and piracy on the high seas, Al Jazeera noted. [1][3]