Cargo Ship With 15 Indians Hijacked Near Somalia Coast, Indian Navy Warship Rushes to Region

A cargo ship, ‘MV LILA NORFOLK’ with 15 Indians on board was hijacked late Thursday evening near the coast of Somalia. Indian Navy warship INS Chennai is moving towards the hijacked vessel to tackle the situation, military officials said on Friday.

The Indian Navy aircraft are keeping a watch on the hijacked ship.

This Liberian-flagged bulk carrier was hijacked by five to six unknown armed men on Thursday evening, the Indian Navy said in an official statement on Friday.

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.