In a dramatic turn of events on the high seas, the Indian naval warship INS Chennai swiftly responded to a hijacking attempt on the vessel MV Lila Norfolk off the coast of Somalia. Military officials have reported that INS Chennai issued a warning to the pirates onboard, urging them to abandon the vessel. The Indian warship has also deployed its helicopter, with the elite Marine Commandos (MARCOS) on standby for potential operations. Notably, all Indian crew members aboard MV Lila Norfolk are confirmed to be safe.
Earlier, the officials had informed that Merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk was hijacked by pirates 300 nautical miles east of Somalia, while it was sailing from Port Du Aco in Brazil and was bound for Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain.
The Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed Platforms responded swiftly to the hijacking attempt on board a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier after it received a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel on Thursday evening, the Indian Navy said in a statement.
In response to the situation, the Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai, deployed for maritime security operations, to assist the vessel.
The aircraft overflew the vessel on Friday morning and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew.
As the situation continues to unfold, the naval operation serves as a testament to the importance of maintaining robust security measures in vital maritime corridors, particularly those prone to piracy. The incident also underscores the Indian Navy’s proactive role in preserving the safety and security of seafarers navigating through strategic waters.
( inputs from ANI)