Watch The Moment Indian Navy Foils Hijacking, Saving 15 Indian Sailors

The Indian Navy swiftly responded on Friday to a perilous situation involving a Liberian-flagged ship carrying 15 Indian nationals, which faced an attempted hijacking by pirates near Somalia's coast. Mobilizing its elite Marine Commandos (Marcos), the Navy successfully evacuated all 21 individuals on board, ensuring their safety.

Confirmation from the Navy declared the ship clear of hijackers after a thorough sanitization operation. This outcome was likely influenced by a warning issued by the Navy's maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), deterring the pirates' intentions to take over the vessel.

The Navy had cautioned the pirates, signaling that an interception by an Indian Naval warship was imminent.

Earlier reports revealed that the merchant vessel had communicated via the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal, reporting an intrusion by five to six unidentified armed individuals on the evening of January 4.

Multiple resources were deployed by the Indian Navy, including the INS Chennai warship, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I, and the long-range Predator MQ9B drone, to assist the threatened vessel. Upon interception by INS Chennai at 3:15 pm in the North Arabian Sea, a thorough inspection confirmed the absence of any hijackers.

INS Chennai currently remains near the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk, offering comprehensive aid to restore the vessel's power generation and propulsion systems. The primary objective is to ensure the safe continuation of its voyage to the next port of call, reaffirming the Navy's commitment to maritime security and safety.