New Delhi, January 05: The Indian Navy warship INS Chennai has come close to the hijacked ship MV Leela Norfolk off the Somalia coast in the Arabian Sea. The Indian warship launched its helicopter and the Indian Marine Commandos (MARCOS) took possession of the hijacked ship and issued a warning to the pirates to leave the hijacked ship.
As per sources, the Indian crew on board the ship is safe and the Marine Commandos are ready for MARCOS operation.
The Liberian-flagged merchant ship MV Leela has been hijacked 300 nautical miles east of Somalia in the northern Arabian Sea. The ship was heading from Port du Aรงo (Brazil) to Khalifa bin Salman in Bahrain. The crew had reported the presence of five to six pirates on board the ship on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal on the evening of 04 January. The UKMTO serves as the primary point of contact for merchant vessels and contact with military forces in the area.
Following a communication from UKMTO regarding hijacking of merchant vessel MV Leela off Somalia, Indian Navy’s mission deployed platforms responded swiftly to the maritime incident in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy immediately launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai to the spot to assist the ship.
The aircraft flew over the ship this morning and established contact with the ship, ensuring the safety of the crew. Also, the Navy sent INS Chennai to Somalia to give a befitting reply.
According to Naval Commander Vivek Madhwal, the Indian Navy’s warship INS Chennai diverted from its anti-piracy patrol and reached MV Leela Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea at 3:15 pm today and gave a swift response. Indian crew and marine commandos have taken possession of the hijacked ship MV Leela Norfolk.
Madhwal told the ship is kept under constant surveillance using maritime patrol aircraft, Predator MQ9B and integral helos. The 11-member Indian crew on board the ship is safe and the Marine Commandos are ready for MARCOS operation. Also issued a warning to the pirates to leave the hijacked ship.
He said that the overall situation is being closely monitored in coordination with other agencies and the multinational force in the entire region. The Indian Navy is committed to ensuring the security of merchant shipping in the region with international partners and friendly countries.
