In a daring operation, the Bharat Navy’s INS Chennai swiftly responded to a distress call from the hijacked merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk off the Somalia coast. The vessel, in route from Brazil to Bahrain, was hijacked by armed pirates about 300 nautical miles east of Somalia.
Upon receiving the information, INS Chennai, initially on an anti-piracy patrol, diverted its course and deployed its Marine Commandos (Marcos) to the scene. The Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft and a helicopter were also launched to assess the situation and establish contact with the hijacked vessel.
The elite Marine Commandos successfully boarded the MV Lila Norfolk, carrying out sanitization operations and rescuing all 15 Bharatiyas crew members on board. The Indian Navy reported that the crew is safe, and ongoing efforts are being made to secure the vessel completely.
The hijacking occurred amidst heightened concerns over maritime security in the region, with recent incidents involving Houthi militants’ attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea. This incident follows a series of maritime events in the strategic waters, including drone attacks on vessels and hijackings.
The Bharat Navy remains vigilant, monitoring the maritime security situation in the North and Central Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. Deployed task groups, comprising warships, surveillance planes, and remotely-piloted aircraft, continue to investigate vessels of interest and maintain enhanced surveillance in the area.
The successful rescue operation by INS Chennai demonstrates the Indian Navy’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of maritime activities in the region.
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