All crew including 15 Indians rescued from hijacked ship off Somalia coast in Arabian Sea

Indian Navy commandos got on board the hijacked Liberian-flagged merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea and rescued all 15 Indians along with other crew members. Yesterday, five to six armed personnel unauthorisedly boarded the vessel. The sanitisation operation began immediately. INS Chennai intercepted the hijacked ship today, which was kept under continuous surveillance using Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Predator MQ9B and integral helicopters.

New Delhi:All the 15 Indians along with other crew members aboard the hijacked Liberian-flagged merchant ship have been rescued, according to military officials. The Indian Navy Marine Commandos are currently carrying out sanitisation operations in all parts of the vessel.

When the MV Lila Norfolk reported entry of unauthorised armed personnel yesterday off Somalia coast, the Indian Navy has deployed a warship. The Marine Commandos of Indian Navy later ascended the hijacked ship and commenced the sanitisation operation. Indian Navy gave a swift response to the hijacking attempt of the merchant vessel.

INS Chennai diverted from her Anti Piracy patrol intercepted the MV at 1515h on 05 Jan 2024. MV was kept under continuous surveillance using Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Predator MQ9B and integral helicopters.

The incident of hijacking of the cargo ship MV Lila Norfolk was reported on Thursday by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British military organisation that tracks movements of various vessels in strategic waterways.

Indian Navy's mission deployed platforms responded swiftly to a maritime incident, a Navy spokesperson said. He said the vessel sent a message on UKMTO portal indicating boarding by around five to six unknown armed personnel on Thursday evening. Responding swiftly to the developing situation, Indian Navy launched a maritime patrol and has diverted INS Chennai deployed for maritime security Operations to assist the vessel.

Indian Navy's maritime patrol aircraft overflew the vessel early Friday and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew, the official said.

"Naval aircraft continues to monitor movement and INS Chennai is closing the vessel to render assistance," he said. "The overall situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with other agencies in the area," he said. "The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping in the region along with international partners and friendly foreign countries," the spokesperson added. (with agency inputs)

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