The swift response by the Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed Platforms thwarted a hijacking attempt on a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, prompted by a message on the UKMTO portal indicating an unauthorized boarding by five to six armed individuals on Thursday evening, as stated in an official announcement on Friday.
In reaction to the incident, the Indian Navy promptly deployed a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and redirected INS Chennai, assigned to maritime security operations, to provide assistance to the vessel. The MPA conducted a flyover of the targeted vessel on Friday morning, establishing communication and confirming the safety of the crew.
According to the Indian Navy, continuous monitoring of the vessel’s movements is being carried out by naval aircraft, and the Indian warship INS Chennai is approaching the vessel to offer further assistance. The overall situation is under close scrutiny, with coordination maintained with other relevant agencies and MNFs (Maritime Security Forces) in the region, as per the statement from the Indian Navy.