New Delhi: The ship MV Lila Norfolk was hijacked near Somalia’s coast and the Indian Navy received information about it on Thursday evening.

The military officials have reported that the Indian Navy is actively observing the situation surrounding a hijacked merchant ship near Somalia’s coast, identified as the Liberian-flagged vessel ‘MV Lila Norfolk,’ suspected to have 15 Indian crew members on board, according to ANI.

As per official statements, Indian Navy aircraft have been mobilized to closely monitor the movements of the hijacked ship. Successful communication has been established with the vessel, serving as a vital connection to evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of the crew on board.

“The vessel transmitted a distress signal through the UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) portal, reporting an unauthorized boarding by around five to six unidentified armed individuals on the evening of January 4, 2024,” stated the Indian Navy.

In response, the Indian warship INS Chennai is en route to address the hijacking situation, the navy further confirmed.

“Naval aircraft remains engaged in tracking the vessel’s movements, and INS Chennai is approaching to provide assistance. Ongoing monitoring of the overall situation is being conducted in coordination with other agencies and the Maritime Security Task Force (MNF) in the region,” emphasized the navy’s statement.

Details surrounding the hijacking, including the identity of the perpetrators, remain undisclosed at this time.

Rise in pirates attack

The hijacking incident comes in the wake of the seizure of a Maltese-flagged merchant vessel by unidentified assailants in the Arabian Sea, bringing piracy back into focus. The vessel reported the illegal boarding of six ‘pirates.’

In response, the Indian Navy conducted an evacuation of one of the 18 crew members, a Bulgarian national, who sustained injuries during the pirate attack. INS Kochi, a frontline ship, was deployed for the evacuation.

Notably, pirate attacks in the region reached a peak between 2008 and 2013 but have significantly decreased due to collaborative efforts by multinational maritime task forces, including the Indian Navy.