Rescue Op: ‘INS Chennai’ Reaches the hijacked ‘MV Lila Norfolk’

All the 15 Indian crew onboard safe and MARCOS were ready for operations

Padmesh Prabhune

Indian naval warship INS Chennai reached the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk, the Liberian-flagged vessel in the Arabian Sea with 15 Indian nationals onboard, off the Somalian coast and launched a ‘sanitization operation’ with the help of Marine Commandos. Acting on the SOS call on Thursday, the INS Chennai was diverted to assist the vessel and a naval aircraft overflew the hijacked vessel on Friday.

According to inputs from the Indian Navy, “INS Chennai was diverted to assist the vessel and a naval aircraft overflew the hijacked vessel on Friday and had established contact with the crew. The Indian warship launched its helicopter and issued warnings to the pirates to abandon the hijacked vessel. The Indian crews on-board were safe in the ship’s citadel and Marine Commandos, (MARCOS) ready for operations.

The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping in the region along with international partners and friendly foreign countries,” the spokesperson said.

The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance of the Arabian Sea after a recent spate of attacks in the region. Earlier this week, the Navy said it had investigated a large number of fishing vessels and boarded boats of interest in the north and central Arabian
Sea.
Marex Media