In a dramatic rescue operation by elite marine commandos MARCOs in the North Arabian Sea, all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, were successfully rescued from the hijacked Liberian-flagged vessel MV Lili Norfolk. The first visuals of the jubilant Indian crew have emerged, showing them chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and expressing gratitude to the Indian Navy.
The rescue mission unfolded after five to six armed pirates attempted to hijack the vessel. The Indian Navy swiftly intervened, deploying a warship, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I, helicopters, and MQ9B Predator drones to assist. INS Chennai intercepted the cargo vessel, and MARCOs commandos carried out a swift operation, ensuring the safety of all crew members who had sought refuge in a secure room on the vessel.
Commander Vivek Madhwal, the Indian Navy spokesperson, reported that the sanitization by MARCOs confirmed the absence of hijackers, indicating the success of the operation. The Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft played a crucial role in issuing a forceful warning to the hijackers, possibly thwarting their attempt.
INS Chennai continues to support MV Lila Norfolk in restoring power generation and propulsion, facilitating its voyage to the next port of call. This rescue operation comes amid rising concerns over Houthi militants intensifying attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, coinciding with the Israel-Hamas conflict.
