The Navy says it sent a warship to provide assistance after the ship issued a hijacking distress call.
The Indian Navy said its warship was heading toward a hijacked Liberian-flagged ship in the Arabian Sea, and aircraft were closely monitoring the situation.
A statement issued by the Navy on Friday said it “quickly responded to a maritime incident in the Arabian Sea related to an attempted hijacking” of a cargo transport ship.
The statement said that the ship sent a message on the UK's maritime trade operations portal, saying that between five and six unidentified armed individuals had boarded it on Thursday evening.
Indian media reports citing military officials said that at least 15 Indian crew members were on board the MV Lila Norfolk, which was hijacked near the coast of Somalia, and that the Navy received information about it on Thursday evening.
The Indian warship INS Chennai was diverted and deployed to assist the ship, the Navy statement said, adding that a Navy aircraft flew over the hijacked ship on Friday and made contact with it.
The Navy said it “remains committed to ensuring this.” [the] The safety of commercial shipping in the region with international partners and friendly foreign countries.”
The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance of the Arabian Sea after the recent wave of attacks in the region.
The Navy said earlier this week that it had investigated a large number of fishing vessels and arrested vessels of interest in the northern and central Arabian Sea.
“India is playing the role of a net security provider in the entire Indian Ocean region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region rises from the sea to the heights of the skies,” Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said last month about increased surveillance in the region.
“Lifelong food lover. Avid beeraholic. Zombie fanatic. Passionate travel practitioner.”