Preeti Dalal Navy Chief on Seized ship by Iran, Panaji; Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar clarifies that the Israeli affiliated ship which was seized by Iran had 17 Indian nationals onboard. Admiral R. Hari also provided answers to several other questions. Lets know the whole matter:
Israeli linked seized ship by Iran
On 13th April Saturday, Iranian forces took control of a container vessel which was linked to Israel. Iranian commandos got down to the ship rappelling down a rope from a helicopter. The container ship MSC Aries, was passing through the Strait of Hormuz when it was seized by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Seized Ship by Iran (Commandos coming down the Helicopter)
Admiral Hari’s statement on the seizes ship
Answering questions by a reporter on the current status of the seized ship and the whole situation, the Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari, said that the seized ship which had Israeli links was headed for one of Indian ports. The ship- MSC Aries was coming out of the Strait of Hormuz when it was seized by Iranian forces. Admiral Kumar also said that the ship had 17 Indian nationals onboard.
The Naval chief further said “They had cleared the Strait of Hormuz and coming south when those helicopters came with troops and boarded it. What we understood is that it is a foreign flag company. We don’t have any more information,”
Also Read: Iran captured Israeli Ship: Highjacked cargo had 17 Indians on board
India Navy will ensure safety and security in the Indian Ocean
He further gave the information that units of Indian Navy are deployed in the region between Red Sea and Gulf of Aden where 90 attacks took place. The navy is watching the situation.
“Indian Navy is operating between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden where more than 90 attacks have taken place in that region. We have been trying to help out mariners who are in that region. We are watching the situation, we have units deployed,” the Naval Chief said.
Naval Investiture Ceremony 2024 | Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), presented Gallantry and Distinguished Service awards to Naval personnel on behalf of the President of India at an impressive Naval Investiture Ceremony held at INS Hansa, Goa on April 14. The… pic.twitter.com/IE6q9e1FkY
— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2024
Talking about the situation in the Gulf region and the piracy situation in the gulf waters, Admiral said that the present tense situation has given space for resurfacing of piracy. He said that “The situation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is fragile. We saw the drone attack on a merchant ship and when that sort of disturbance started, we saw the resurfacing of piracy. The lesson to be kept in mind is that whenever there is a disorder that is happening in one part, people are waiting for an opportunity to create more disturbance and (secure) benefit from it.”
Adding to the piracy situation, Admiral Kumar said that the Indian navy is ever ready to secure the passage of merchant vessel in the Indian Ocean. He said “The job of any Navy is to ensure that (passage of) merchant vessels (is safe) and trade unhindered. We are committed to doing our job,”
The Bhartiya Nausena Chief Kumar was present at INS Hansa naval base to present gallantry and distinguished service medals during the Naval Investiture ceremony on the behalf of President of India.
Also Read: Israel-Iran Tensions: Iran warns US to stay out, and considers the conflict as over
