Navy Commandos Successfully Board Hijacked Vessel in North Arabian Sea Amid Rising Maritime Concerns
Indian Navy thwarts hijacking, boards MV Lila Norfolk. Marine commandos secure vessel amid maritime tensions. #Security #ArabianSea
Marine commandos from the Indian Navy have successfully boarded the hijacked Liberian-flagged commercial bulk carrier, MV Lila Norfolk, in the North Arabian Sea. The Navy deployed INS Chennai, a warship, along with a maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and a long-range Predator MQ9B drone in response to the hijacking. The vessel, with over a dozen Indian crew members, had sent a distress message on the UK Maritime Trade Operations portal, reporting the boarding by unknown armed personnel.
Responding swiftly to the situation, the Indian Navy initiated a sanitization operation after INS Chennai intercepted the hijacked vessel. The marine commandos, present on board INS Chennai, boarded MV Lila Norfolk to secure the vessel. The overall situation is being closely monitored in coordination with maritime agencies in the region.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of heightened concerns about Houthi militants increasing attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Indian Navy is committed to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region in collaboration with international partners and friendly foreign countries.
: Another hijack attempt of Indian Navy ship in Arabian Sea, Indian warship moving towards vessel (WION)
The UK Maritime Trade Operations, a British military organization tracking vessel movements in strategic waterways, played a crucial role in relaying the distress message from MV Lila Norfolk. While the nationality of the crew remains unclear, it is reported that over a dozen are Indian.
This development follows a series of maritime incidents, including a drone attack on the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Chem Pluto on December 23, targeting 21 Indian crew members. Another oil tanker, en route to India, faced a suspected drone strike in the Southern Red Sea on the same day, with 25 Indian crew members on board. Additionally, the Malta-flagged vessel MV Ruen was hijacked on December 14.
The Indian Navy continues to actively monitor the maritime security situation in the North and Central Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Task groups comprising warships, surveillance planes, and remotely piloted aircraft are deployed for enhanced surveillance and maritime security operations in the region.
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