All 15 Indians Onboard Hijacked Ship Rescued By Indian Navy Commandos

In a successful operation on Friday evening, Indian Navy commandos rescued all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from the merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk. The vessel had been boarded by pirates in the Arabian Sea, approximately 850 km east of the Somalian coast.

The Indian Navy Marine Commandos, aboard the warship INS Chennai, boarded the MV Lila Norfolk, confirming the absence of hijackers and ensuring the safety of the crew. The attempted hijacking was likely thwarted by a forceful warning from the Indian Navy maritime patrol aircraft and the interception by INS Chennai.

The 1,70,000-tonne bulk carrier, registered in Liberia, was en route from Port Du Aco in Brazil to Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain when the piracy incident occurred. The UK Maritime Trade Organisation reported that the crew had locked themselves in a safe room since the pirates boarded the vessel mid-sea.

INS Chennai remains in the vicinity of MV Lila Norfolk, providing support to restore power generation and propulsion for the vessel’s voyage to its next port of call. The Indian Navy responded swiftly to the hijacking, with a Maritime Patrol Aircraft maintaining surveillance and establishing contact with the besieged vessel.

The Indian Navy’s proactive measures in the Arabian Sea include the deployment of task groups with warships, surveillance planes, and UAVs. In the past week, naval units have physically investigated fishing vessels, with marine commandos boarding suspicious vessels. The Navy’s commitment to enhanced surveillance and maritime security operations in the region remains steadfast, with Maritime Patrol Aircraft and UAVs conducting persistent surveillance.

The successful rescue operation underscores the Indian Navy’s effectiveness in responding to maritime threats and ensuring the safety of seafarers in the region.