Indian Navy’s Swift and Successful Rescue Operation: Safeguarding Maritime Security in the Arabian Sea

The Indian Navy’s elite marine commandos, in a successful operation on January 5, 2024, rescued 21 crew members from the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk, including 15 Indians. The swift response was triggered by an attempted hijacking in the North Arabian Sea.

Deploying a comprehensive strategy involving a warship, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, P-8I, and long-range aircraft, along with Predator MQ9B drones (Indian Navy has on lease two drones from the US based General Atomics), the Indian Navy decisively intervened when approximately five to six armed individuals attempted the hijacking.

In fact at the Naval Headquarters, the officials were watching the whole rescue operation live using the feed that was being transmitted real time by the MQ-9B Predator drones.

Commander Vivek Madhwal, the Indian Navy’s spokesperson, affirmed, “All 21 crew members, including 15 Indians on board the vessel, were safely evacuated from the citadel.” The MARCOs commandos conducted a sanitization operation, confirming the absence of hijackers, suggesting the attempt was likely abandoned due to the forceful warning from the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft.

In reaching the hijacked vessel, the Indian Navy diverted the frontline warship INS Chennai from its anti-piracy patrol, intercepting the vessel at 3:15 pm on Friday. Continuous surveillance was maintained using maritime patrol aircraft P8I and Predator MQ9B drones, sourced from the US-based General Atomics.

Commander Madhwal explained, “The Indian Navy’s marine commandos on board the mission-deployed warship boarded the merchant vessel, conducting the sanitization operation.”

MV Lila Norfolk communicated the incident through the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal, reporting the boarding of five to six unknown armed individuals on Thursday evening. The Navy closely monitored the situation, responding swiftly to the developing incident by deploying a maritime patrol aircraft and diverting INS Chennai to ensure the security of MV Lila Norfolk.

The hijacking incident occurred amidst heightened concerns over Houthi militants intensifying attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, coinciding with the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Indian Navy reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region, collaborating with international partners and friendly foreign countries.

The UKMTO, a British military organization tracking vessel movements, reported the successful rescue by the Indian Navy ship INS Chennai. Steve Kunzer, CEO of Lila Global, expressed gratitude for the rescue and acknowledged the professionalism of the crew.

The Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC IOR) actively monitors shipping traffic and critical developments in the region. Recent maritime incidents include a drone attack on MV Chem Pluto, a commercial oil tanker suspected of a drone strike, and the hijacking of the Malta-flagged vessel MV Ruen.

The Indian Navy maintains vigilance, monitoring maritime security in the North and Central Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. Naval ships, aircraft, and task groups remain on missions for enhanced surveillance and maritime security operations, investigating fishing vessels and boarding vessels of interest in the past week.