Indian Navy Foils Piracy Attempt On Merchant Vessel In Gulf Of Aden

Indian Naval Ship Trishul on Friday foiled a piracy attempt on an Indian merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Navy said.

All 26 Indian crew on board the Indian ship are safe.

“INS Trishul a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy whilst on Anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, was escorting a merchant vessel MV Jag Amar when she detected a boat carrying out suspicious manoeuvers in the vicinity of the merchant ship” the ministry said in a statement Saturday.

INS Trishul closed the boat for investigation and launched an integral helicopter to investigate. The skiff was carrying items identified as piracy triggers and some small arms with ammunition, the navy said.

In May 2017, INS Sharda, deployed for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, rescued a Liberian merchant vessel Lord Mountbatten from a pirate attack.

The Indian Navy has been deploying a warship in the waters in and around the Gulf Of Aden since 2008 and has safely escorted hundreds of merchant vessels through these treacherous waters.