India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sources have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control by Iran. India is in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals, the sources added. The conflict has intensified in West Asia after suspected Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s consulate in Syria's capital Damascus and Tehran’s warning of retaliation. A map showed the path of an Israeli-linked cargo ship, the MSC Aries, that had been seized between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, in the Persian Gulf, situated close to the Strait of Hormuz, on Saturday (April 13). The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) posted a warning on social media after having received a report on the vessel and said it had been “seized by regional authorities”. This after Iran warned earlier this week that it could close the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. The Aries is leased by international shipping line MSC from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, Zodiac said in a statement, adding that MSC is responsible for all vessel activities. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
14 April,2024 12:40 PM IST
The Indian Navy once again displayed its heroics and intercepted a ship hijacked by Somali pirates. From a Indian Navy vs Somali Pirates scenario, Navy shared a video of its encounter with Somali pirates who were using a hijacked merchant vessel. The Indian Navy thwarted designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen. The navy intercepted the hijacked ex-MV Ruen which was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship on high seas. The vessel opened fire on the warship and the Indian Navy retaliated to neutralise the pirates. The pirates onboard the vessel were called upon to surrender and release the vessel. In recent times, Indian Navy has proved its mettle by averting piracy bids in high seas.
16 March,2024 06:09 PM IST
Oscars 2024: Christopher Nolan’s historic epic based on J Robert Oppenheimer bagged seven statuettes at the 96th Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, on Sunday. Of the 13 nominations, Oppenheimer won Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Director trophies for Nolan. Watch the full video for the full list of winners and a few insights from the award night!
12 March,2024 05:59 PM IST
INS Chennai, which rescued the hijacked Bulk Carrier MV Lila Norfolk on January 5, reached Chennai on Feb 16. On Jan 05, the Indian naval warship reached the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia coast. As many as 21 crew members, including 15 Indians were onboard the ship which was hijacked by the pirates. The Indian Navy was quick to respond and rescued all the crew members. Navy’s elite commando unit MARCOS reached the vessel and initiated the “sanitisation” process. The rescued members hailed the Indian Navy’s efforts and a timely response.
17 February,2024 02:20 PM IST | Mumbai
Indian Defence officials on January 29 informed that the Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra rescued fishermen hijacked by Somali pirates. In the latest update the Indian Navy on January 31 shared a video of the rescue operation. In the video, the Pakistani-Iranian crew expressed gratitude and explained how pirates dumped their weapons after seeing the Indian Navy and they also raised Indian Navy zindabad . Later in the video, the crew chanted ‘All hail Indian Navy’ and ‘Thank you for saving our lives’The incident happened about 700 nautical miles west of Kochi in the Arabian Sea. The Iranian fishing vessel FV Iman was boarded with around 17 crew members which was hijacked by pirates. INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted by the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew. Later, the FV was subsequently sanitized and released for onward transit. The latest attack came amid a series of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on cargo vessels in the Red Sea and other crucial business routes
02 February,2024 11:38 AM IST
As the threat of mischievous drone attacks and piracy bids loom large in Arabian Sea, Indian Coast Guard Director General Rakesh Pal assured that the organisation is ready to tackle threats of drone attacks in Arabian sea and protect India’s maritime interests. “We have got eyes and ears everywhere, we have got aviation assets are flying day and night. When we generally spot hostile ships or vessels, we generally track them down. If the ships are not responding we zero on to them and make sure they are boarded,” said ICG DG Rakesh Pal while talking to ANI on the drone attacks in the Arabian Sea.
01 February,2024 06:18 PM IST
The Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra thwarted the piracy attempt on an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, Al Naeemi sailing off the East Coast of Somalia and successfully rescued 19 Pakistani nationals on Monday, the Indian Navy said in an official statement. It is the second rescue operation within a day for the Indian Navy after saving another Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, FV Iman, from Somali pirates, which had 17 crew members onboard in its anti-piracy operations along the east coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden on Monday, an official statement said. The Indian Navy said that its warship INS Sumitra intercepted the distressed vessel and pressed into action to locate the fishing vessel, which had been boarded by pirates and saved 19 Pakistani national crew members who were taken hostage. The warship acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew along with the boat and ensured the successful release of all 19 crew members along with the boat. Subsequently, the ship also undertook confirmatory boarding to sanitise and check on the well-being of the crew who were held captive by the Somali pirates.
30 January,2024 04:45 PM IST
Amid the relentless attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, Indian Navy swung into action. Indian Navy deployed Guided Missile Destroyer INS Visakhapatnam to combat drone attacks in the Red Sea. INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call by Marshall Island flagged MV Genco Picardy following a drone attack. Marshall Island flagged MV Genco Picardy witnessed a deadly attack during the late night of January 17. Assisting, INS Visakhapatnam, undertaking anti-piracy patrol, acknowledged distress call, intercepted vessels at 0030 hrs on Jan 18. Merchant Ship MV Genco Picardy carrying 22 crew members including 9 Indians was rescued safely. Indian Naval EOD specialists from INS Visakhapatnam boarded the vessel in early hours of Jan 18 to inspect the damaged area. EOD specialists, after a thorough inspection, have rendered the area safe for further transit.
18 January,2024 07:12 PM IST
“Bharat Mata Ki Jai” chants echoed on the cargo ship MV Lila Norfolk which was hijacked near the coast of Somalia. The Indian Navy was quick to respond and rescued all the crew members onboard including 15 Indians from the Cargo Ship Hijack. Assessing the situation in no time, INS Chennai warship was moved towards the hijacked cargo vessel on Jan 05. Also, continuous aerial recce of MV Lila Norfolk was undertaken by MQ9B (Sea Guardian), P8I and integral helicopters. The Indian Navy’s elite commando unit MARCOS reached the vessel and initiated its “sanitisation” process. The rescued crew members thanked the Indian Navy for a quick and timely assistance.
06 January,2024 03:53 PM IST
In a high voltage drama unfolding in the high seas, Indian Navy rescued all crew members from hijacked vessel MV Lila in Arabian Sea. The Liberian-flagged vessel was hijacked by pirates hijacked on Jan 04 near the coast of Somalia. Without wasting time, India strongly responded to the Cargo Ship Hijack and charged its mighty INS Chennai towards the hijacked vessel. On January 05, the Indian warship carrying lethal marine commandos reached MV Lila and issued the warning. The Indian Commandos boarded the hijacked vessel and immediately began the ‘sanitization’ work . Within no time, the MARCOS thwarted the prates and rescued all 21 crew, including 15 Indians. The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance of the Arabian Sea after a recent spate of attacks in the region. Earlier, in response to the situation, the Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft for maritime security operations. The aircraft overflew the vessel on Friday morning and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has already increased its surveillance of the Arabian Sea after a recent spate of attacks. Moreover, the Indian Defence Minister on Dec 26, openly said that “they will hunt down the culprits from the bottom of the sea.”
06 January,2024 11:00 AM ISTADVERTISEMENT
