A cargo vessel, flying the Marshall Islands flag and carrying 22 crew members, including nine Indians, was subjected to a drone strike in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday night. Swiftly responding to the distress call from the vessel Genco Picardy, the Indian Navy's guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam, on a mission deployment, took prompt action within an hour.
The attack occurred approximately 60 nautical miles South of Port Aden. In a proactive response, Indian Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists boarded the vessel early Thursday morning to assess the extent of the damage. Following a thorough inspection, the EOD specialists cleared the ship for further transit.
The distressed vessel is now en route to its next port of call. The incident highlights the Indian Navy's commitment to anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. INS Visakhapatnam, actively engaged in such patrols, acknowledged the distress call promptly and intercepted the vessel to provide necessary assistance, ensuring the safety and security of the crew members and the cargo vessel.
(With Agency Inputs)
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