Indian Naval Warship INS Chennai Rescues MV Lila Norfolk from Pirates

Defense News ,India :- On January 5, the Indian Naval Warship INS Chennai successfully completed its mission to rescue the hijacked Bulk Carrier MV Lila Norfolk and safely reached Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Friday. The daring operation took place off the coast of Somalia, where INS Chennai confronted the pirates on board the hijacked vessel, issuing a stern warning for them to abandon their illicit activities, as informed by military officials to ANI.

Utilizing its resources effectively, INS Chennai deployed a helicopter and activated the elite Marine Commandos (MARCOS) for potential operations. The swift response ensured the safety of all Indian crew members on board, according to officials.

The incident unfolded when the Merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk fell victim to piracy, being hijacked by armed assailants approximately 300 nautical miles east of Somalia. The vessel was en route from Port Du Aco in Brazil to Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain when the unfortunate event occurred.

Indian Navy's Mission Deployed Platforms reacted promptly to the distress call received through the UKMTO portal, indicating an attempted boarding by five to six unknown armed individuals on Thursday evening. In a statement, the Indian Navy revealed that a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) was immediately launched, and INS Chennai, already deployed for maritime security operations, was diverted to assist the compromised vessel.

The MPA conducted an overflight of the vessel, establishing contact and confirming the safety of the crew. The successful rescue operation underscores the Indian Navy's commitment to maritime security and rapid response in the face of threats on the high seas.