NEW DELHI - Bangladesh has asked India to help rescue a Bangaldeshi merchant ship which was captured by suspected Somali pirates on Sunday off the coast of India's Lakshadweep Islands, sources said Tuesday.

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Suspected Somali pirates have taken over the MV Jahan Moni, a Bangladeshi-flagged ship, which was on its way to Europe with 25 crew members and 41,000 tons of nickel ore on board, some 67 nautical miles west of Minicoy Island, according to the sources.

"Indian Navy's assistance is being sought to rescue the ship which the pirates are believed to be steering towards Somalia," the sources said.

Meanwhile, the International Maritime Bureau's piracy center has reported that six armed pirates captured the ship.

"A merchant vessel was reportedly hijacked by six armed pirates and 26 crew members were taken hostage around 67 nautical miles west of Minicoy Island," the report said.