In a candid incident U S Navy docked at Jabel Ali, about 30 km off Dubai, fired at a boat which was carrying four Indians and two Emirate nationals on board. One Indian died on the spot while three else were severely injured. "The services concerned are now investigating this incident," UAE's official news agency WAM.
The Karaiyur Fishermen Association President Malairajan, in Rameswaram identified the fishermen as Sekar of Periyapattinam in Ramanathapuram district, dead in the firing. The injured are Muniraj, Panpuvan and Murugan also hail from Ramanathapuram. He said, Munira had been admitted to hospital with bullet injuries. Adding that fishermen from Ramanathapuram district were working for Dubai fishing companies on daily wage basis.
A spokesman for the US Navy’s Bahrain based 5th Fleet, Lt Gred Raelson said a security team aboard the USNS Rappahannock fired from a .50-calibre machinegun on the boat after it disregarded warnings and raced towards the ship. “The incident is under investigation," he said. Sources revealed that Pentagon or the State Department was silent on the issue, inspite of the Indian Embassy in Washington asking for details on the incident. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)