French soldiers fire on pirates in Indian Ocean

Paris: France`s military says French soldiers have fired on pirates in the Indian Ocean to protect two fishing boats from attack.
French military spokesman Rear Adm. Christophe Prazuck says soldiers aboard two French tuna trawlers opened fire at two pirate skiffs to ward off an attack near the Seychelles islands.

All those aboard the French boats were unharmed but it was not clear if any pirates were injured.

France`s government has been stationing military personnel on fishing boats off East Africa since July to protect them from pirates active in the region. Sunday was the first time soldiers used their weapons in such operations.

Bureau Report