After Indian Coast Guard ship Vikram escorted the merchant ship MV Chem Pluto outside the Mumbai port on Monday, Indian Navy's explosive ordnance disposal team conducted an extensive inspection of the merchant vessel. It reached the Mumbai port two days after being hit by a drone off India's west coast in the Arabian Sea when it was on its way to New Mangalore port.
In light of the frequent attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy on Monday deployed three warships- INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata- alongside P-8I long-range patrol aircraft for surveillance in the region to maintain a "deterrent presence."
Advertisement
"Considering the recent spate of attacks in the Arabian Sea, Indian Navy has deployed guided missile destroyers, INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata, in various areas to maintain a deterrent presence," a Navy official said.
The Liberian-flagged merchant vessel affiliated with Israel was reportedly carrying 21 Indian and one Vietnamese crew.
What did the officials say?
Upon arrival of the merchant ship MV Chem Pluto, a Navy spokesperson said, "On her arrival, the Indian Navy explosive ordnance disposal team inspected the vessel to make a preliminary assessment of the type and nature of the attack. The analysis of the area of attack and debris found on the ship points towards a drone attack."
Advertisement
"However, further forensic and technical analysis will be required to establish the vector of attack including type and amount of explosive used," he said.
According to an Indian Navy spokesperson, a joint investigation has been initiated by several agencies following the completion of the analysis of the vessel by the explosive ordnance team.
"MV Chem Pluto has been cleared for further operation by her company-in-charge at Mumbai. The ship is scheduled to undergo mandatory checks by the various inspecting authorities before undertaking ship-to-ship transfer of cargo," he said.
"This is likely to be followed by docking and repairs of the damaged portion of MV Chem Pluto," he further added.
About the ship attack
MV Chem Pluto, carrying crude oil to New Mangalore port from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia, was struck about 217 nautical miles from Porbandar on Saturday. No one was injured in the incident.
A Gabon-flagged commercial crude oil tanker with 25 Indian crew members also came under a drone attack in the Southern Red Sea on Saturday but no one was injured, according to Indian officials and the US military.
