Indian Naval Task Groups News Today

Indian Navys elite marine commandos successfully carried out a daring rescue operation in the North Arabian Sea to save 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lila Norfolk. The incident, which took place on January 5, 2024, involved a swift response to an attempted hijacking. The skilled commandos swiftly intervened when they received information about the hijacking attempt

Indian Navys elite marine commandos on Friday rescued 21 crew members including 15 Indians from a bulk carrier in the North Arabian Sea and sanitised it in a swift operation while responding to an attempted hijacking of the Liberian-flagged vessel by around five-six armed personnel.

The bulk-carrier MV Lila Norfolk sent a message on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal indicating that five to six unknown armed personnel boarded the vessel on Thursday evening, says the Indian Navy

Sanitisation by MARCOs commandos has confirmed the absence of the hijackers. The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by Indian Navy's maritime patrol aircraft of interception by naval warship, says Indian Navy's spokesperson

Indian Navy’s marine commandos or MARCOS on Friday boarded the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea that was subjected to a hijacking attempt by five to six unknown armed persons

Before embarking on the hijacked vessel, the Indian warship had launched its helicopter and issued warning to the Somali pirates to abandon the merchant ship.

The Navy deployed a warship, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and long-range Predator MQ9B drone in response to the hijacking of commercial vessel MV Lila Norfolk that is understood to have over a dozen Indian crew members

MV Lila Norfolk Hijack: "All 21 crew including 15 Indians onboard the vessel were safely evacuated from the citadel," Indian Navys spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said. "Sanitisation by MARCOs commandos has confirmed the absence of the hijackers. The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by Indian Navys maritime patrol aircraft of interception by naval warship," he said.

India on Thursday said it is closely watching the unfolding situation in the Red Sea, amid growing global concerns over Houthi militants stepping up attacks on several commercial ships in the region.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared that Sri Lanka will contribute a Navy vessel to counter Houthi rebel attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. This aligns Sri Lanka with nations such as India in safeguarding the vital waterway for global trade.