Indian Marine Commandos have recaptured and evacuated safely all 21 crewmembers of a pirated bulk carrier flying the Liberian flag.
UK Maritime Trade Operations has reported that the Liberian-flagged bulk container ship MV Lila Norfolk was pirated on Thursday in the Arabian Sea.
Reports indicate that five to six pirates boarded while the crew fled to the “citadel.” Fortunately, for the crew, and unfortunately for pirates, INS Chennai was nearby. It is a Kolkata class stealth-guided missile destroyer. The INS Chennai was part of a flotilla of three ships that were sent to the Arabian Sea after a drone launched by Iran struck the Liberian-flagged tanker, Chem Pluto.
DRONE ATTACK ON MV CHEM PLUTO-Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre,Mumbai received information regarding fire onboard MV Chem Pluto. The Merchant ship with 20 Indian &01 Vietnamese Crew was reportedly attacked by a suspected drone strike on aerial platform.(1/6) pic.twitter.com/CpioW9MfT9
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) December 23, 2023
Indian aircraft overflew the Lia Norfolk, and made contact with the crew that was safely barricaded inside the “citadel.” Pirates abandoned their plan after being unable to gain control of the vessel and having Indian aircraft overfly the ship.
Indian MARCOS boarded Lia Norfolk shortly after 1 pm local time.
🚨 Top deck of the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk sanitised by the Marine Commandos of Indian Navy
All the crew, including 15 Indians, onboard the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk have been secured and are safe: Military officials pic.twitter.com/y0mydfq2dK
— OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) January 5, 2024
The crew was released from the “citadel” after a thorough search for pirates that missed the boat back home.
First images of the @IndianNavy MARCOS anti-piracy action on board the hijacked merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia coast. Images from an @IndianNavy SeaGuardian drone that had eyes on the op. https://t.co/S4057ucBbv pic.twitter.com/6eegMJaseB
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) January 5, 2024
The Indian Navy was in control of the vessel, according to reports. All 21 crew members including 15 Indians were evacuated.
