The Indian Navy has increased its preparations in view of attacks on commercial ships.
The Navy has deployed warships INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata to strengthen its defense power in the area.
Officials said long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8I has also been deployed. On Saturday, a drone attack was carried out on a commercial ship carrying 21 Indian crew members about 217 nautical miles off Porbandar.
Subsequently, the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard deployed several ships to provide assistance to the ship.
The Navy has conducted preliminary inspection of the ship MV Chem Pluto upon its arrival at Mumbai port. The Navy said that the ship was attacked by a drone near the western coast of India.
However, where the attack took place and the quantity of explosives used for it will be known only after forensic and technical investigation.
The Liberian-flagged merchant ship MV Chem Pluto was hit by a drone attack in the Arabian Sea. At present, preliminary investigation has been conducted by the Anti-Explosive Ordnance Team of the Navy.
Iran fired drone at the ship, US claims
The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Defense Department, had said that MV Chem Pluto was hit by a drone attack launched by Iran. Let us tell you that this ship reached Mumbai coast at 3:30 pm.
Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram provided security to her en route to Mumbai. “Upon arrival of the ship, the Indian Navy’s Anti-Explosive Ordnance Team inspected the ship to conduct a preliminary investigation into the attack,” a Navy spokesperson said. Inspection of the area of the attack and the debris found on the ship indicates that it was a drone attack.
Forensic investigation to detect explosives
An Indian Navy spokesperson said forensic and technical analysis would be required to determine the type of attack and the quantity of explosives used.
He said that after the Anti-Explosive Ordnance Team completed the analysis of the ship, various agencies started a joint investigation.
The official said that the ship was carrying crude oil from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia to Neo Mangalore port. It fell victim to the attack at a distance of about 217 nautical miles from Porbandar.
Three guided missile destroyers have been deployed in the region in view of increasing attacks on commercial ships in the Arabian Sea.