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
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
“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 IST
A cargo ship, ‘MV LILA NORFOLK’ with 15 Indians onboard was hijacked on Jan 04 near the coast of Somalia. The Indian Navy is closely watching the cargo ship and has rushed a warship towards it, military officials confirmed. The Indian Navy warship INS Chennai is moving towards the hijacked vessel to tackle the situation. The vessel had sent a message on UKMTO portal indicating the boarding of five to six unknown armed personnel in the evening on Jan 04. The Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) for Maritime Security Operations to assist the vessel. The aircraft flew over the vessel on the early morning of Jan 05 and established contact with the vessel.
05 January,2024 03:47 PM IST
US Dept of Defense made a shocking claim and held Iran responsible for the India drone strike on the India-bound merchant vessel. Further, the Pentagon statement also claimed that it was the “seventh Iranian attack on commercial shipping since 2021”. A suspected drone attacked an India-bound ship in the Arabian Sea near Gujarat coast on December 23. MV Chem Pluto, a merchant ship, commenced its voyage from UAE on Dec 19 and was expected to reach New Mangalore port on Dec 25. Soon after getting hit, the merchant vessel immediately caught fire; however, no casualties have been reported so far. Notably, 20 Indians were onboard the ship during the incident that took place 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast. Reacting sharply to it, the Indian Navy and ICG didn’t waste any time and charged towards the MV Chem Pluto for assistance. The vessel is likely to enter Mumbai and seek escort assistance due to steering issues. Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram will be escorting the ship during its passage. The Indian Coast Guard Operations Centre is monitoring the situation closely.
03 January,2024 02:22 PM IST
Days after, MV Chem Pluto, a merchant ship, was hit by a suspected drone strike in the Arabian Sea near Gujarat coast on Dec 23, India has issued a stern warning to the attackers of the merchant vessels near the Indian sea borders. Defence Minister, in an event in Mumbai, openly said about the India drone strike that “they will hunt down the culprits from the bottom of the sea.” Moreover, Indian Navy also assured that they will take ‘robust action’ and will intensify monitoring. Notably, 20 Indians were onboard the ship during the incident that took place 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast. While, no one has claimed responsibility for the drone strike in the Arabian sea, US Central Command claimed that the drone attack was fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants. Houthi forces in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks as revenge against Israel. However, the Indian Navy on Dec 24 clarified that it wasn’t an India-flagged vessel, as claimed by the US earlier. India, a strong advocate for the free movement of commercial shipping, is monitoring these attacks.
27 December,2023 01:39 PM IST
Days after the drone attack on merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto on Dec 23, the vessel safely reached Mumbai on Dec 25. Soon the vessel reached Mumbai, latest images emerging from the vessel showed the damage caused by the drone attack. The merchant ship, MV Chem Pluto reached Mumbai for damage assessment, repair, and maintenance. Analysis was carried out by Indian Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Team followed by a joint investigation by various agencies. MV Chem Pluto, with 20 Indian and one Vietnamese crew member on Dec 23 caught fire after it was attacked by a suspected drone. The merchant vessel commenced its voyage from the UAE on Dec 19 and was bound for New Mangalore port with an arrival date of Dec 25. Soon after the India drone attack, the Indian Navy deployed multiple Guided Missile Destroyers in various areas of the Arabian Sea. Indian Navy deployed INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata to maintain deterrence. Meanwhile, MV Chem Pluto has been cleared for further operation by its company-in-charge in Mumbai. Houthi forces in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks as revenge against Israel. Meanwhile, India, a strong advocate for the free movement of commercial shipping, is monitoring these attacks.
26 December,2023 11:30 AM IST
MV Chem Pluto, a merchant ship, was hit by a suspected drone strike in the Arabian Sea near Gujarat coast on December 23. After getting hit, the merchant vessel immediately caught fire; however, no casualties have been reported so far in this India drone strike. Notably, 20 Indians were onboard the ship during the incident that took place 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast. After getting the information, the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard didn’t waste any time and charged towards the MV Chem Pluto for distress. Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Vikram and the Indian Navy’s warships in the vicinity moved towards the distressed vessel. The Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft and Indian Coast Guard Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft established communication with the distressed vessel MV Chem Pluto in no time.
24 December,2023 12:37 PM IST
Former Opposition leader of Maharashtra Vijay Wadettiwar claimed preparations are on to replace Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on "health grounds" after admitting him to a hospital. He also claimed Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar met in Pune recently amid speculation about Shinde's likely replacement as the CM of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, NCP working President Supriya Sule on August 16 dispelled rumours surrounding her and Sharad Pawar getting offers for certain cabinet positions. She said that she clearly has not received any such offers for any positions at the Centre. She also denounced the comments of Vijay Wadettiwar.
16 August,2023 06:01 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
