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India plans action over fisherman killing by US warship

By The Assam Tribune

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS): India today said that it will initiate appropriate action in the killing of its fisherman by personnel on board a US naval vessel off Dubai, even as Washington conveyed its condolences over the death and ordered a probe.

India is ascertaining facts into the shooting by personnel onboard the USNS Rappahannock, a fuel re-supply ship, on a small motor vessel with the Indians near Jebel Ali port on Monday evening, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said here. The incident also left three other Indians injured.

"We will stay in regular touch with US and UAE authorities to ascertain full facts and take appropriate further action in the matter," the spokesperson said. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of life of the Indian fisherman and the injuries sustained by the others. Our thoughts are with their families," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, US ambassador to India Nancy Powell telephoned Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai this morning to convey her "regret" for the loss of life and assured that the US government would conduct full investigation into the shooting.

In a statement, the US embassy in New Delhi conveyed its "condolences to the families of the crew of the 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. It also said that the incident is being probed.

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