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ATAM: Navy personnel exchanged fire with three pirates in the Straits of Malacca, leaving one pirate dead and the remaining two injured.

The incident took place on Wednesday, but was not made public until Saturday.

The incidence of sea piracy often increases in the run-up to Idul Fitri.

The commander of sea security for the Western Fleet, Commodore Pranyoto, said the Navy had received information that three people had hijacked the Anugerah I fishing ship near Pandan Island, North Sumatra.

The sea authority responded by alerting officers on patrol, including those at Tanjung Balai naval base, who managed to locate the position of the ship.

“The three unidentified people robbed the Anugerah crew of radio communications equipment and the boat soon fell under the control of the pirates,” Pranyoto said.

“Gunshots ensued. One of the pirates was fatally shot in the head, while the other two were brought to the naval base. We have handed the dead man over to his relatives,” he said. The Navy confiscated three rifles.