indian-navy-assists-hijacked-bangladeshi-flagged-cargo-vessel

The Indian Navy sprang into action to aid a Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel after it fell prey to hijackers in the Indian Ocean.

This latest intervention adds to a string of assistance missions carried out by the Indian Navy in the region.

 

According to the Navy's statement on Friday, an Indian naval warship, along with a long-range maritime patrol aircraft, rushed to the scene to provide support. 

 

The Navy said that on receipt of intimation, the LRMP was immediately deployed, and on locating the merchant vessel in the evening of March 12, it attempted to establish communication to ascertain the status of the ship's crew members. 

 

"However, no response was received from the ship," it said.

 

"The mission deployed warship on maritime security operations, which had also been diverted, intercepted the hijacked vessel on the morning of March 14," the Navy said in a statement.

 

"The safety of the merchant vessel's crew (all Bangladesh nationals) held hostage by the armed pirates was ascertained and the Indian Navy warship continued to maintain in close vicinity of the vessel till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia," it said.

 

Upon receiving the distress call about the hijacking on March 12, the Navy swiftly deployed a long-range maritime patrol aircraft (LRMP) P-8I. 

 

However, initial attempts to establish communication with the hijacked vessel went unanswered.

 

Undeterred, the Indian Navy continued its efforts. 

 

A warship on maritime security operations intercepted the hijacked vessel on the morning of March 14. 

 

The crew's safety, comprising all Bangladesh nationals, was confirmed, and the Indian Navy maintained close proximity to the vessel until it reached Somalia's territorial waters.

 

This rescue operation is the latest in a series of similar actions by the Indian Navy. 

 

In recent weeks, they have assisted several merchant vessels facing threats in the Western Indian Ocean. 

 

From thwarting piracy attempts to rescuing crew members from hostile situations, the Indian Navy has displayed its commitment to maritime security.

 

Earlier this month, an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel was safeguarded from pirates off the East coast of Somalia, while in January, the INS Sumitra rescued Pakistani crew members from an attacked Iranian-flagged vessel.