NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has released the video of the commandos freeing the Liberian merchant vessel and its crew that faced a hijack attempt from Somalian pirates. The video was released through the official X account of the Indian Navy. The footage shows the MARCOS commando team reaching the cargo ship in a speed boat and boarding the ship. Before the commandos boarded the ship, the six armed robbers abandoning the ship in fear.
#IndianNavy’s Swift Response to the Hijacking Attempt of MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 5, 2024
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
The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Navy in INS Chennai. Armored predator drones and helicopters were part of the mission.
Indian Navy's warship intercepted the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk bulk carrier less than a day after it received a report that the vessel had been hijacked about 460 nautical miles off Somalia.
About five to six armed people boarded the vessel on Thursday, according to a report received by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency.
"The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the Indian Navy, marine patrol aircraft, of interception by an Indian Naval warship," the navy said in a statement.
The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance of the Arabian Sea after similar incidents in the region.