US regrets fisherman's killing, assures full probe

NEW DELHI: The US ambassador to India, Nancy Powell, telephoned foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai on Tuesday morning to convey her regret for the loss of life and assured that the US government would conduct full investigation.

This was after the US officially confirmed that a US navy ship Rappahannock fired shots at a fishing vessel near the port of Jebel Ali in Dubai.

According to UAE officials, one Indian fisherman was killed in the firing incident and three other Indians were injured.

Indian government sources said that the government was deeply saddened by the loss of life of the Indian fisherman and the injuries sustained by the others.

"Our Embassy in Washington DC has been in touch with the United States government since midnight IST yesterday. Our Embassy in Abu Dhabi is working with local authorities to carry out full investigation into the circumstances leading to this unfortunate and tragic incident," said sources.

The acting consul general is in Jebel Ali to provide all necessary assistance, they added.

Meanwhile, India has sought a report from its ambassador in the UAE on the killing of the fisherman.

External affairs minister S M Krishna has sought a report on the incident from Indian ambassador to Dubai M K Lokesh apart from asking the government there to investigate the case, official sources said here.

(With inputs from PTI)