The Indian Navy has already launched an investigation into the drone strike on a Mangalore-bound cargo vessel off India’s west coast in the Arabian Sea even as the merchant ship is set to reach Mumbai today escorted by a Coast Guard ship.
The Navy and the Indian Coast Guard swung into action on Saturday by swiftly deploying their assets, including a warship and maritime patrol aircraft, soon after the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the drone “attack” on MV Chem Pluto that has 21 Indian crew members.
The vessel, carrying crude oil to New Mangalore port from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia, was struck about 217 nautical miles from Porbandar, an official official.
There was no report of any casualties in the incident.
The Liberian-flagged vessel is now on its way to Mumbai and Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram is providing security to it, the officials said.The merchant vessel is set to arrive in Mumbai on Monday, they said.Sharing details of its response on Saturday, the Navy said its “mission deployed” platforms to respond swiftly to the “maritime incident in the Arabian Sea involving a missile/ drone attack on MT Chem Pluto”.