Indian Navy Rescue Operation: 21 crew
member safely rescued from a hijacked vessel known as MV Lila Norfolk.
MV Lila Norfolk
Hijacked: A hijacked cargo
ship MV Lila Norfolk which had 21 crew member out of which 15 are Indian. The
ship was hijacked near the coast Somalia on Jan 4.
Operation Sanitizations and No pirates found:
India
Navy (MARCOS) on Friday prevented hijacking attempt on Liberia flagged vessel
in North Arabia Sea and protected 21 members.
Indian Navy marine commandoes were carrying “Sanitization “operation and intercepted MV Lila Norfolk.
Crew
members were locked in citadel – that is a
particular area in ship where the staff and crew seek protection in the event
of hijacking. All the crew members are safe and sound – Indian commandos
revealed there were no pirates on board.
The
operation carried out by Marcos confirmed the absence of hijackers. Comprehensive
set of resources were deployed including warship, maritime patrol aircraft,
p-81 Predator MQ9B drones. They led safe evacuation of crew members and averted
a potential hijacking situation.
INS Chennai (D65)
is the
third and last ship of the Kolkata-class stealth guided missile destroyers of
the Indian Navy. Commandos revealed INS Chennai is around MV Lila Norfolk
and providing its support to restore power generation and beside giving
assistance for her next voyage.
The Navy diverted
frontline warship INS Chennai from anti-piracy patrol and intercepted the hijacked vessel. Now the vessel in under
constant surveillance using Maritime patrol aircraft P81 and predator MQ9B
drones.
Message on MV Lila Norfolk:
MV Lila Norfolk sent
a message on U.K Maritime Trade Operation (UKMTO) portal indicating that
vessel was boarded on Thursday evening by five to six unknown armed personnel.
Other concerns:
This hijacking
incident increasing the concern over Houthi militant stepping up attack on
merchant vessels in red sea surrounding Israel- Hamas conflict.
