"The assumption is that the death was caused during an exchange of
fire," EU Navfor naval force spokesman Commander John Harbour said.
"These forces can hold back a piracy attempt until a ship from the task
force arrives," an official said.
Navfor, operated by the European Union, is one of several regional task
forces that have sought to block Somali pirates over the last 18 months. The
United States has led a naval group titled Combined Task Force 151.
Officials said the battle marked the first time that a merchant ship
security team killed a pirate. They said the bullets used in the battle were
not employed by Navfor, which pursued the pirate ship and captured six men
and found a dead crew member. The pirate vessel was reported to have been
captured by the Spanish Navy frigate Navarra.
"The mother ship has now been destroyed and the remaining six suspects
have been taken onboard the Navarra," Navfor said.
Officials said Somali pirates have increased operations in the Arabian
Sea and Red Sea in 2010. They said 18 piracy attacks were repelled in March.
