A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV LILA NORFOLK, deploying a maritime patrol aircraft and the destroyer INS Chennai, on Maritime Security Operations, has been hijacked by pirates.
The Indian Navy had through the UKMTO portal on Thursday evening, received the alert indicating that approximately 5-6 armed personnel had boarded the vessel.
The Indian Navy’s aircraft on Friday managed to overfly the hijacked ship and establish contact, successfully verifying the crew’s safety.
The Navy Aircraft continued surveillance and is closely monitoring the vessel’s movements.
INS Chennai is reported to be approaching the area to provide necessary assistance,.as it marks a significant step in ensuring the safety and security of the crew and vessel.
The Indian Navy had earlier said its ships and aircraft remain “mission deployed” to maintain surveillance and undertake maritime security operations in the North and Central Arabian Sea.
External affairs ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal at a press briefing said:
“We attach very high importance to freedom of navigation, free movement of commercial shipping. It is an evolving situation and we are looking at all aspects of it”.
“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 in the area. We are looking at the unfolding situation very closely,” he said.
