INS Trikand thwarts piracy attempt on merchant vessel in Gulf of Aden
New Delhi, July 2
Indian Navy warship INS Trikand thwarted a piracy attempt on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday night, sources told.
Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS) boarded the affected vessel, MV Golden Arsenal, which had one Indian crew member on board. The vessel was carrying critical cargo for India.
According to sources, the crew locked themselves inside a safe room after pirates attempted to board the ship and alerted authorities through a communication channel.
The pirates fled as INS Trikand approached the vessel. MARCOS later boarded and sanitised the ship.
Earlier, on June 19, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand responded to a distress call from MV Fareeda 5 on a likely piracy attempt in the Western Indian Ocean and undertook prompt action to investigate and deter it.
The Indian Navy said that timely intervention assured the safety of the merchant vessel.
In a post on X, the Indian Navy said, "Responding swiftly to a distress call from MV Fareeda 5 on a likely piracy attempt in the Western Indian Ocean on 17 June 26, mission deployed INS Trikand a frontline frigate of the Indian Navy undertook prompt action to investigate and deter the threat. Timely intervention assured safety of the merchant vessel. As a preferred security partner and first responder in the region, Indian Navy remains committed to safeguarding merchant shipping, countering piracy and ensuring safe and secure seas."
Earlier, on May 27, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kolkata foiled a suspected piracy attempt in the vicinity of merchant vessel MV Mashallah 1 in the Western Indian Ocean.
Responding swiftly to inputs of pirate activity near merchant vessel MV Mashallah 1, INS Kolkata, mission-deployed in the Western Indian Ocean (around the Gulf of Aden), undertook prompt action to investigate and deter the threat.
The investigation was conducted using the helicopter onboard INS Kolkata, as well as the boarding operations by the ship's crew. The timely intervention ensured the safety of the merchant vessel and prevented a possible piracy attack.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great work, but why is this happening so often? The Navy needs to increase patrolling in this region. Our merchant vessels are crucial for trade, and we can't have pirates threatening them every month.
Kudos to the MARCOS commandos! Their training and bravery are commendable. It's reassuring to know that our Navy is always ready to protect our maritime interests.
Impressive response time from the Indian Navy! As someone from the West, it's good to see India stepping up as a regional power. Keep up the good work, INS Trikand! 🌊
Good job, but I worry about the cost. Are we spending too much on these operations? We need to balance national security with other priorities like education and healthcare. Just my two paise. 🤔
Incredible work! But I wish the media would also highlight the bravery of the crew who locked themselves in the safe room. They kept calm under pressure. Respect to all involved! 🙏
Third incident in a month? This is alarming. The Navy is doing its job, but we need international cooperation to tackle the root cause of piracy. Somalia and Yemen instability is a global problem.