Navy rescues crew from hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk

New Delhi, Jan 5: The Indian Navy successfully extricated all crew members from a commandeered cargo ship. The vessel, “MV Lila Norfolk” carrying 21 crew including Indians, was seized off the Somali coast.

Utilising a fleet comprising a warship, aircraft, helicopters, and drones, the Navy swiftly responded to the distress signal.

The Navy’s elite MARCOS commandos boarded the “MV Lila Norfolk” in the Arabian Sea, ensuring the safety of the 15 Indian crew members.

The commandos confirmed the hijackers had left the ship, as stated by Navy officials. Commander Vivek Madhwal, spokesperson for the Indian Navy, reported the successful evacuation of all crew from the ship’s secure area, the citadel.

This operation was initiated following an alert from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The INS Chennai, a naval destroyer on anti-piracy patrol, was redirected to intervene. The ship launched a helicopter and issued a stern warning, leading the pirates to abandon their hijack attempt.

This incident aligns with a series of maritime security threats in the region. Recently, the Navy dispatched warships to counteract various threats, including a drone attack near the Indian coast, attributed to Iran by the United States.

The rise in rerouting of vessels from the Red Sea due to threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have conducted drone and missile attacks, has added to the regional tensions.

The Navy’s proactive response to a distress call about the hijacking of “MV Lila Norfolk” which had 15 Indians among its crew, was much appreciated.

The vessel, flagged under Liberia, sent out a distress signal when approximately five to six armed individuals attempted to board it.

The Navy’s heightened surveillance and security measures in the Central and North Arabian Sea include deploying task groups of destroyers and frigates and intensifying aerial surveillance with maritime patrol aircraft and drones. These efforts aim to maintain maritime safety and respond to any incidents.

Earlier the government, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, emphasised the importance of free navigation and the safety of commercial shipping, monitoring the evolving situation closely.

A coalition of twelve nations, including the USA and UK, has warned Yemeni rebels against continuing assaults on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. A United Nations meeting highlighted the need to protect global supply chains from such attacks.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have escalated their attacks in the Red Sea since November, targeting commercial shipping with a variety of weapons.

This has led to a multinational naval operation to protect ships in the region, with major shipping companies rerouting their vessels to avoid the Red Sea.