The Indian Navy foiled a piracy attempt in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday night, with warship INS Trikand responding swiftly to a distress call from a merchant vessel carrying critical cargo bound for India, according to sources.
The vessel, MV Golden Arsenal, had one Indian crew member on board when suspected pirates attempted to board the ship. Following anti-piracy protocol, the crew immediately locked themselves inside a designated safe room and alerted authorities through an emergency communication channel.
INS Trikand, which was operating in the region, moved swiftly towards the merchant vessel upon receiving the distress call. As the warship closed in, the suspected pirates fled the area before they could gain control of the vessel.
Following the incident, Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS) boarded MV Golden Arsenal and carried out a thorough sanitisation operation to secure the ship and rule out any remaining threat. The vessel was subsequently declared safe.
Sources said MV Golden Arsenal was carrying critical cargo destined for India. No injuries to the crew or damage to the vessel were reported.
The incident underscores the continued threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, a critical shipping corridor, and highlights the Indian Navy’s ongoing anti-piracy patrols to safeguard maritime trade routes vital to India.
