In a daring operation, the Indian Navy successfully evacuated all crew members, including 15 Indian nationals, from the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off the coast of Somalia. The Navy's prompt response averted a major crisis in the North Arabian Sea.
"Indian Navy's Swift Response to the Hijacking Attempt of MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea. All 21 crew (including 15 Indians) onboard safely evacuated from the citadel. Sanitisation by MARCOs has confirmed absence of the hijackers," the Indian Navy said in a statement.
The hijacking attempt by pirates was likely deterred by the forceful warning and interception threat from the Indian Naval warship, as detailed in the Navy's statement.
INS Chennai is currently assisting the MV Lila Norfolk, working to restore power and propulsion systems, enabling the vessel to resume its voyage. Meanwhile, Indian Navy's elite Marine Commandos (MARCOs) continue sanitization operations on the vessel, the military officials told Indian media.
The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier MV Lila Norfolk, sailing from Port Du Aco, Brazil, to Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain, was initially hijacked 300 nautical miles east of Somalia. The Indian Navy's mission-deployed platforms responded rapidly to the distress call, received via the UKMTO portal, about boarding by armed persons, the Indian Navy said in a statement.
Reacting to the crisis, the Indian Navy dispatched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and redirected INS Chennai, which was on maritime security duty, to provide assistance to the vessel.