Hijackers flee after ship is intercepted by Indian Navy warship and aircraft
A hijacking attempt onboard a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier in the Arabian Sea evoked a swift response from the Indian Navy’s mission deployed platforms in the region, with all 21 crew members, including 15 Indian nationals, being safely evacuated on Friday (December 5, 2024).
 
The hijackers fled after the ship was intercepted by an Indian Navy warship and a maritime patrol aircraft; all the crew members were then safely evacuated from the tower of the ship in the presence of the Indian Navy’s Marine Commandos (MARCOS).

“Swift Response to the Hijacking Attempt of MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea. All 21 crew (incl #15Indians) onboard safely evacuated from the citadel. Sanitisation by MARCOs has confirmed absence of the hijackers.
 
The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the #IndianNavy MPA of interception by Indian Naval warship.
 
#INSChennai is in the vicinity of MV and rendering support to restore the power generation & propulsion, and commence her voyage to next port of call,” the Indian Navy spokesperson wrote on social media platform X as it shared video clips of the operation.

An Indian Navy aircraft overflew the vessel early on Friday morning and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew, the Ministry of Defence said earlier in the day. 
 
The vessel had sent a message on UKMTO portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel on Thursday (January 4, 2024) evening.
 
Responding swiftly to the developing situation, Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and has diverted INS Chennai deployed for Maritime Security Operations to assist the vessel, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday.
 
The aircraft overflew the vessel early on Friday morning and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew. A naval aircraft continues to monitor the movement and INS Chennai is closing the vessel to render assistance, the ministry added. 

The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping in the region along with international partners and friendly foreign countries, the Ministry of Defence said. 
 
Indian Navy increases maritime surveillance in Central and North Arabian Sea
 
With incidents of hijacking and drone attacks in recent weeks, India has consistently emphasised its commitment to freedom of merchant shipping in the Red Sea as well as the Arabian Sea.
 
"We attach very high importance to freedom of navigation, free movement of commercial shipping. We are looking at the situation. It's an evolving situation and we are looking at all aspects of it," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Thursday (January 4, 2023). 

Responding to a question on the security situation in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea, he said, "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 or project in the area. So that is where we are, but we are looking at the unfolding situation very closely.
 
Recent weeks have seen numerous vessels being attacked by the Houthi rebels, who maintain they are targeting ships in the Red Sea with links to Israel in protest against its military offensive in Gaza. This has raised concerns about the impact on the passage of oil, grain and other goods on this important global trade route.

Merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, was hit by a drone about 217 nautical miles from Porbandar on December 23, 2023, following which the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard swung into action to provide assistance to the ship.
 
Earlier in the month, a Gabon-flagged commercial crude oil tanker also came under attack in the Red Sea; it had 25 Indian crew members. 
 
Responding to the situation, the Indian Navy has substantially enhanced maritime surveillance efforts in the Central and North Arabian Sea and augmented force levels.

According to the Ministry of Defence, Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and render assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident. Aerial surveillance by long-range maritime patrol aircraft and RPAs has been enhanced to have a complete maritime domain awareness. 
 
The Indian Navy is operating in close coordination with the Coast Guard to ensure effective surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).