Indian Navy responds to distress call as missile hits merchant ship carrying 22 Indians

PTC News Desk: In a recent development, the Indian Navy's guided-missile destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam, promptly responded to a distress call from the merchant vessel Marlin Launda, which had been hit by a missile in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel, carrying 22 Indian and one Bangladeshi crew members, reported a missile strike that resulted in a fire onboard.

Upon receiving the distress call, INS Visakhapatnam initiated efforts to assist in firefighting and managing the crisis on the cargo ship. The Indian Navy, in a statement, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding merchant vessels and ensuring the safety of lives at sea.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of escalating concerns regarding Houthi militants intensifying attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, particularly amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Admiral R Hari Kumar has issued directives to handle such maritime incidents with firmness.

This isn't the first time the Indian Navy has been called into action in the region. On January 18, a merchant vessel with Indian crew members faced a drone attack in the Gulf of Aden. In response to the distress call, INS Visakhapatnam was deployed, successfully intercepting the vessel and providing assistance.

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Earlier, on December 23, a Liberian-flagged MV Chem Pluto, carrying 21 Indian crew members, was targeted in a drone attack off India's west coast. Additionally, another commercial oil tanker en route to India experienced a suspected drone strike in the Southern Red Sea on the same day, with a crew of 25 Indians onboard. These incidents underscore the heightened security challenges faced by maritime activities in the region.

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(Inputs from agencies)

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