The News Freedom
New Delhi, January 5
Twenty-one crew members, including fifteen Indians, have been safely evacuated from the citadel. After a sanitization operation by MARCOs, it has been confirmed that the hijackers are not present, the Navy spokesperson said. The attempted hijacking by pirates appears to have been abandoned, potentially due to a forceful warning issued by an Indian Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), hinting at interception by an Indian Naval warship. The INS Chennai is positioned nearby the MV and is providing assistance to restore power generation and propulsion systems, facilitating the vessel’s voyage to its next port of call.
According to the Defence officials, the rescue operations of the hijacked vessel MV Lili Norfolk, by the Indian Navy warship INS Chennai, were seen live by the Indian Navy officials at the naval headquarters using the feed sent by the MQ-9B Predator drones of force.
#IndianNavy’s Swift Response to the Hijacking Attempt of MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea.
All 21 crew (incl #15Indians) onboard safely evacuated from the citadel.Sanitisation by MARCOs has confirmed absence of the hijackers.
The attempt of hijacking by the pirates… https://t.co/OvudB0A8VV pic.twitter.com/616q7avNjg
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 5, 2024
Soon after the piracy incident was reported last night, the drones were directed to keep an eye on the ship and provide real-time information to the officials concerned. Indian Navy’s Mission in the morning deployed platforms responded swiftly to a maritime incident in Arabian Sea involving a hijacking attempt onboard Liberia Flagged bulk carrier . The vessel had sent a message on UKMTO portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel in the evening on January 4, Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
Responding swiftly to the developing situation, Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and has diverted INS Chennai deployed for Maritime Security Operations to assist the vessel. The aircraft overflew the vessel on early morning and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew, he further said.