INS Trikand foils piracy attempt on merchant vessel in Gulf of Aden
Naval operations make great one-liner questions. INS Trikand, an Indian Navy stealth frigate deployed in the Gulf of Aden, foiled a piracy attempt on MV Golden Arsenal, a bulk carrier flagged to St Vincent and the Grenadines, keeping all 21 crew members safe, including one Indian. The attack happened about 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti. Here's the thing, India keeps warships in the Gulf of Aden under its anti-piracy deployments because that route is vital for our trade and energy shipments. Bottom line for the exam, remember the pairing: INS Trikand, Gulf of Aden, anti-piracy, and India's role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.
INDIAN Navy commanders promptly responded to a piracy attack on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, ensuring the safety of 21 crew members on board, including one Indian national.
According to the Navy, INS Trikand, a stealth frigate deployed for missions in the Gulf of Aden, quickly intervened during the piracy attempt on the MV Golden Arsenal, a bulk carrier registered under the flag of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
A boarding team from the warship conducted a thorough inspection of the vessel and neutralised any threats that the crew members might have faced.
The merchant vessel was transiting from Aden, Yemen, when it reported an attempted pirate attack approximately 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti. INS Trikand, which was on a mission in the area, was directed to intercept the merchant vessel.
The merchant vessel reported damage to its bridge superstructure and adjacent compartments. The crew of 21 had taken shelter in the vessel’s citadel and were reported to be safe.On Thursday morning, a team of Naval Commanders from INS Trikand embarked on MV Golden Arsenal to sanitise the vessel and assess the situation. After conducting a thorough search, no suspicious individuals were found on board. The crew then safely exited the citadel and, together with the Indian Navy personnel, began an evaluation of the vessel’s condition.
An Indian Navy P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft was also deployed to undertake aerial surveillance and reconnaissance in the area. This helped augment the operation and enhance maritime domain awareness while supporting the anti-piracy response.“With the vessel sanitised and the immediate threat neutralised, anti-piracy operations by INS Trikand have concluded. MV Golden Arsenal has since resumed her onward voyage,” the Navy said in a statement.“The Indian Navy remains committed to safeguarding merchant shipping, countering piracy and ensuring the safety and security of all seafarers in the region, irrespective of nationality, as part of its continued commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region,” the Navy said.
Between December 2023 and early 2024, the Indian Navy foiled a series of piracy attempts, rescuing several Iranian and Pakistani nationals who were part of the crew.
Since 2008, the Indian Navy has deployed units in the Gulf of Aden and the East Coast of Africa for anti-piracy patrols and a total of 3,440 ships and over 25,000 seafarers have been safely escorted as per official data.
Amrita Nayak Dutta writes on defence and national security as part of the national bureau of The Indian Express. In the past, Amrita has extensively reported on the media industry and broadcasting matters, urban affairs, bureaucracy and government policies. In the last 14 years of her career, she has worked in newspapers as well as in the online media space and is well versed with the functioning of both newsrooms. Amrita has worked in the northeast, Mumbai and Delhi. She has travelled extensively across the country, including in far-flung border areas, to bring detailed reports from the ground and has written investigative reports on media and defence. She has been working for The Indian Express since January 2023.... Read More