‘Raksha Mantri’ Rajnath Singh vows tough action against ship attackers

Padmesh Prabhune

Condemning attacks on commercial ships off India’s coast, Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh said, “Whoever carried out this attack, we will find them even from the depth of the seas and take strict action against them.”
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of ‘INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, the third of four indigenous Visakhapatnam class destroyers, into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on Tuesday December 26, Singh said, “India’s growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and hatred.”

The defense minister said the Indian government took the recent drone attack on ‘MV Chem Pluto’ in the Arabian Sea and the attack on ‘MV Sai Baba’ in the Red Sea a few days ago “very seriously”. Both the Ships had Indian crews serving onboard.

Adding that India has intensified patrolling of seas after recent attacks on merchant navy ships, he said, “The Indian Navy has increased surveillance of the sea. Whoever has carried out this attack, we will find them even from the seabed and strict action will be taken against them,”

Singh said that India will ensure maritime trade in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) achieves new heights. “India is in the role of Net Security Provider in the entire IOR. We will ensure that the maritime trade in this region rises from the sea to the heights of the sky. For this, together with friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes safe and secure for maritime commerce,” the defense minister said.

Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, equally expressed pride hailing India’s growing self-reliance in defense as INS Imphal was commissioned into Indian Navy

INS Imphal, was built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai. The ship measures 163m in length, 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is amongst the most potent warships built in India. It is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship has a total complement of about 315 personnel, and is commanded by Captain K K Choudhury, a Gunnery and Missiles specialists.
Marex Media