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.