New Delhi: In a quick, high-tempo operation Friday, the Navy deployed commandos, a destroyer and aerial assets to rescue the hijacked Liberian-flagged bulk carrier MV Lila Norfolk in the Arabian Sea, which had 15 Indian crew on board.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said the group of hijackers deboarded the merchant vessel after the guided missile destroyer reached the spot and issued warnings.
They added that the Naval commandos – MARCOS – carried out a full sweep of the vessel and ascertained there were no pirates on board.
The sources also said all 21 members of the crew, including 15 Indians, were safe.
As reported earlier, the merchant vessel had sent a message on the UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) portal, indicating that five to six unknown, armed personnel had boarded the ship in the evening of 4 January.
The Navy had initially launched a maritime patrol aircraft and the INS Chennai, deployed for maritime security operations, was despatched to assist the vessel.
When INS Chennai reached the hijacked vessel, it launched a helicopter and issued warnings to the hijackers to get off.
As reported by ThePrint on 27 December, the Navy, along with the Coast Guard, have intensified operations in the Arabian Sea in the wake of a loitering munition attack on a merchant vessel earlier.
The Navy has till now deployed four guided missile destroyers — INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, INS Kolkata, and INS Chennai — as a deterrent force and to keep track of all suspected vessels in the region.
Sources said that in the past one week, Indian naval task groups deployed in the area have investigated a large number of fishing boats and boarded vessels of interest.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Also read: Merchant vessel with Indian crew hijacked in Arabian Sea, Indian Navy operation on