Commander Madhwal explained, “The Indian Navy’s marine commandos on board the mission-deployed warship boarded the merchant vessel, conducting the sanitization operation.”
The Indian Navy’s elite marine commandos, in a successful operation on January 5, 2024, rescued 21 crew members from the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk, including 15 Indians. The swift response was triggered by an attempted hijacking in the North Arabian Sea.
Deploying a comprehensive strategy involving a warship, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, P-8I, and long-range aircraft, along with Predator MQ9B drones (Indian Navy has on lease two drones from the US based General Atomics), the Indian Navy decisively intervened when approximately five to six armed individuals attempted the hijacking.
In fact at the Naval Headquarters, the officials were watching the whole rescue operation live using the feed that was being transmitted real time by the MQ-9B Predator drones.
Commander Vivek Madhwal, the Indian Navy’s spokesperson, affirmed, “All 21 crew members, including 15 Indians on board the vessel, were safely evacuated from the citadel.” The MARCOs commandos conducted a sanitization operation, confirming the absence of hijackers, suggesting the attempt was likely abandoned due to the forceful warning from the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft. Upon approaching the hijacked ship, the Indian Navy diverted the frontline warship INS Chennai from its anti-piracy patrol, intercepting it at 3:15 pm on Friday. Continuous surveillance is maintained using P8I maritime patrol aircraft and Predator MQ9B drones from the US company General Atomics.
Commander Madhwal explained: “Maritime commandos of the Indian Navy on board the warship deployed on duty boarded the merchant ship and carried out the fumigation operation.
MV Lila Norfolk reported the incident through the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal, reporting five to six unidentified armed individuals boarding the vessel on Thursday evening. The Navy closely monitored the situation and responded quickly to the incident by deploying maritime patrol aircraft and redirecting the INS Chennai ship to ensure the safety of the MV Lila Norfolk.
The robbery occurred amid growing concerns about increased attacks by Houthi rebels on merchant ships in the Red Sea, coinciding with the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Indian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring maritime security in the region, cooperating with international partners and friendly countries.
UKMTO, a British military organization that monitors ship movements, reported the successful rescue of the Indian naval ship INS Chennai. Steve Kunzer, CEO of Lila Global, expressed gratitude for the rescue and noted the professionalism of the crew.
The Indian Naval Information Fusion Center in the Indian Ocean Region (IFC IOR) actively monitors maritime traffic and important developments in the region. Recent maritime incidents include the drone attack on the MV Chem Pluto, a suspected drone attack on a commercial oil tanker, and the hijacking of the MV Ruen-flagged vessel Malta.
The Indian Navy remains vigilant and monitors maritime security in the North and Central Arabian Seas as well as the Gulf of Aden. Ships, aircraft and task forces continue to carry out their tasks of enhancing maritime surveillance and security activities, investigating fishing vessels and receiving vessels of concern in the past week.
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