The Navy once again came to the rescue of a cargo vessel with 22, including nine Indians onboard, which came under attack by drones in the Gulf of Aden.
The Navy received a distress call, and soon after the warship INS Visakhapatnam intercepted the vessel and provided the assistance.
The Indian Navy informed that its Guided Missile Destroyer INS Visakhapatnam mission deployed in Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations, "swiftly responded to a distress call by Marshall Island flagged MV Genco Picardy following a drone attack at 2311 hours on January 17 and intercepted the MV at 0030 hrs on 1January 18 to provide assistance".
MV Genco Picardy with 22 crew, including nine Indians, reported nil casualties and fire under control, said officials.
After intercepting the vessel, MV Genco Picardy, bomb experts from INS Visakhapatnam boarded the ship to inspect the damaged area. "Specialists, after a thorough inspection, have rendered the area safe for further transit. The vessel is proceeding to the next port of call," Navy said.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over Houthi militants stepping up attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues. Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar has issued instructions to firmly deal with such maritime incidents.
On January 4 also Indian Navy's Mission Deployed platforms responded swiftly to a maritime incident in Arabian Sea involving a hijacking attempt onboard Liberia Flagged bulk carrier.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the vessel had sent a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel in the evening. Responding swiftly to the developing situation, the Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai deployed for Maritime Security Operations to assist the vessel, officials added.
The aircraft overflew the vessel on early morning of January 5 and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the Safety of the crew, the MoD officials added.
According to the MoD, India has increased maritime surveillance in the Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy has deployed 10 warships here in view of the incidents of piracy and kidnapping. The Navy has doubled the number of warships here within the last few days. Navy helicopters have also been deployed on the warships.
Tripura to have Nicco park-model modern recreational park at Jirania: Tourism Minister
The state tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Friday chaired a meeting at Jirania in West Tripura district and said that responding to the proposal of the Tripura government, the Centre has approved establishment of Nicco park-model modern recreational park at Sachindranagar in Jirania subdivision.
PM Modi emphasising on development of North East region: Union MoS Dr. L. Murugan
The Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and parliamentary Affairs Dr. L. Murugan on Friday claimed that the Northeastern states including the states of Tripura is moving in parallel with the rest of the country in terms of development.
State govt integrates AI tools to modernize administration
In a decisive move to modernize public administration, the Tripura government has begun integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its governance framework, aiming to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen service delivery.
MoS Dr. L Murugan leads Tiranga Yatra in Belonia, says Operation Sindoor a success
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L Murugan, Friday led a Tiranga Yatra in Belonia under South District of Tripura to mark the success of Operation Sindoor and express solidarity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Armed Forces.
India in no hurry to review suspension of Indus Waters Treaty: MoJS
The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) is in no hurry to dilute the decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, a stand taken by the Centre as part of tough measures announced against Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack, a top official said on Friday.
Pak plans to give Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar from public funds: Rajnath Singh
Addressing troops at a military base in Gujarat's Bhuj, Rajnath Singh claimed that the Pakistan government intended to give Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the UN-designated terrorist and chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
India's GDP growth in Q4 of 2024-25 expected at 6.8-7 per cent: Report
The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.8-7 per cent in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024-25, driven by the agriculture sector, according to a Bank of Baroda report released on Friday.
BJP, Congress welcome govt's move to send multi-party MP delegations abroad on Pahalgam attack
The Narendra Modi-led government's planned diplomatic initiative of sending multi-party MP delegations to major world capitals to expose Pakistan’s role in the recent Pahalgam terror attack and to rally global support against cross-border terrorism has won support from both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.