The Indian Navy's explosive ordnance disposal team conducted a thorough inspection of the ship on its arrival at Mumbai harbour on Monday, two days after the merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto was hit by a drone off the Indian coast in the Arabian Sea while en route to the port of New Mangalore.
The Navy sent P-8I long-range patrol aircraft for observation and warships INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata to the area to maintain a 'deterrent presence' in response to a wave of attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, officials told the media.
A Navy spokesman told the media: "On arrival, the Indian Navy's explosive ordnance disposal team inspected the ship to make a preliminary assessment of the nature and nature of the attack. The analysis of the area of attack and the debris found on the ship indicates a drone attack".
The Indian Navy spokesman added that after the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit completed its analysis of the ship, other agencies began a cooperative investigation, according to media sources.
"MV Chem Pluto's company in charge in Mumbai has given the vessel the all-clear to resume operations. The vessel is expected to undergo mandatory inspections by various regulatory authorities before commencing the ship-to-ship transfer of goods. Docking and repairs to the damaged section of the MV Chem Pluto are likely to follow," he said.
In light of recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, the naval officer added, three guided missile destroyers have been sent to the region.
The strike occurred on Saturday about 217 nautical miles from Porbandar on the MV Chem Pluto, which was carrying crude oil from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia to the port of New Mangalore.
According to Indian officials, a Gabonese flagged commercial crude oil tanker carrying a crew of 25 Indians was hit by a drone attack in the southern Red Sea on Saturday. However, the attack did not result in any injuries.