New Delhi, Jan 5: The Indian Navy swiftly responded to reports of the hijacking of the Liberian-flagged merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk in the Arabian Sea. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British military organization, initially reported the incident. The vessel had sent a distress message on the UKMTO portal, indicating the presence of around five to six armed individuals on board.
In response, the Indian Navy deployed a warship and diverted INS Chennai, already engaged in maritime security operations, to assist the hijacked vessel. The crew of MV Lila Norfolk reportedly includes several Indian members. To ensure the safety of the crew, the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft conducted overflights and established contact with the vessel. Ongoing monitoring of the situation is being carried out in coordination with relevant agencies in the area.
“The overall situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with other agencies in the area,” stated an official Navy spokesperson. Emphasizing the commitment to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region, the spokesperson added, “The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region along with international partners and friendly foreign countries.”
