Striking video images show the moment Indian Navy commandos stormed a cargo ship off the coast of Somalia to end a hijacking attempt.
The Indian national daily Hindustan Times gave details of the incident, reporting that the Indian Navy had deployed a vessel in the area strategically and that the marine commandos, also known as MARCOs, carried out the operation on the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk to save the 21-member crew.
The incident is part of a resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast after years of relative calm. Somali pirates recently hijacked another ship, MV Reun.
The piracy comes at the same time as a separate challenge to global shipping in the region as Iranian-backed Houthi militia fighters in Yemen attack vessels they say have links to Israel in what they say is a response to Israel's war on Hamas.
The Indian operation also highlighted the growing readiness of the world's most populous country to intervene in the Indian Ocean, where rival China has also increased its presence in recent years.
The Hindustan Times said that the Indian Navy had responded after the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation had reported the MV Lila Norfolk had been hijacked.
"The Indian Navy diverted its guided missile destroyer INS Chennai from south of Socotra and intercepted the ship with the help of Integral helicopter, Sea Guardian drone and Boeing P8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft," it said.
An Indian Navy spokesperson said "India's Swift Response to the Hijacking Attempt of MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea. All 21 crew (incl #15Indians) onboard safely evacuated from the citadel" in a posting on X.
The crew of the MV Lila Norfolk were from India and the Phillippines, the Navy said.
"The decisive thwarting of this attempted hijack is a stellar demonstration of mission deployed Indian Navy's efforts to ensure the security of our oceans and seafarers." Shambhu Kumaran, India's envoy to the Philippines, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The Indian Navy said it had confirmed the absence of pirates on the vessel, painted with the name COSCO Shipping. Newsweek contacted COSCO for comment.
"The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the #IndianNavy MPA of interception by Indian Naval warship. #INSChennai is in the vicinity of MV and rendering support to restore the power generation & propulsion, and commence her voyage to next port of call," stated the Indian Navy spokesperson on X, formerly Twitter.
Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar highlighted the navy's increased measures, telling DD News, "Indian Navy has deployed six warships in the anti-piracy and anti-drone operations. The number is going to go up further. A proposal has been submitted to the government in this regard, and clearance is expected shortly."
Kumar provided a detailed account of the events: "On the sanitization operation conducted by Marine Commandos at Merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk, It seems that after seeing our aircraft and drones operating all over the ship hijacked by them, the Pirates ran away from the Lili Norfolk in the night of 4-5 January itself. The Marine Commandos had to sanitize the vessel for any traps or other issues."
India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently underscored India's commitment to maritime security, stating, "India plays the role of a net security provider in the entire Indian Ocean region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region rises from the sea to the heights of the sky."
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About the writer
Aadil Brar is a reporter for Newsweek based in Taipei, Taiwan. He covers international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian ... Read more
