NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has intensified its response to the hijacking of the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV LILA NORFOLK, deploying a maritime patrol aircraft and the destroyer INS Chennai, which was on Maritime Security Operations.
The Navy received an alert through the UKMTO portal on Thursday evening, indicating that approximately 5-6 armed personnel had boarded the vessel.
In a swift action early Friday morning, the Indian Navy’s aircraft managed to overfly the hijacked ship and establish contact, successfully verifying the crew’s safety.
The aircraft continues its surveillance, closely monitoring the vessel’s movements.
Concurrently, INS Chennai is rapidly approaching the area to provide necessary assistance, marking a significant step in ensuring the safety and security of the crew and vessel.
This development marks a significant concern in the region, known for its piracy incidents.
Meanwhile, on Thursday as well India said it is closely watching the unfolding situation in the Red Sea, amid growing global concerns over Houthi militants stepping up attacks on several commercial ships in the region.
The comments by external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came a day after the Indian Navy said its ships and aircraft remain “mission deployed” to maintain surveillance and undertake maritime security operations in the North and Central Arabian Sea.
“We attach very high importance to freedom of navigation, free movement of commercial shipping. It is an evolving situation and we are looking at all aspects of it,” Jaiswal said at a media briefing.
“As you know, we have Indian Navy ships patrolling the area. They are also keeping a watch on Indian ships there. So far, we are not part of any multilateral initiative in the area. We are looking at the unfolding situation very closely,” he said.
There have been concerns over Iran-backed Houthi militants launching strikes on several commercial ships in the Red Sea in the last couple of weeks amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
