After receiving a distress call from a Liberian registered ship, Lord Mountbatten, of piracy activities, INS Sharda, which was deployed in Gulf of Aden, swept into action and successfully foiled attempted anti-piracy operation by two suspicious vessels.
Indian Navy's MARCOs boarding team, with support of armed helicopter from the ship investigated the skiffs by conducting search operations.
"The absence of any fishing gear onboard the two dhows and remaining five skiffs indicated malicious intent and possible piracy-lined intentions," an official release stated.
One High-caliber AKM rifle along with one filled magazine (28 rounds) was found hidden onboard on one of the dhows.
"The people (boarding the ships) were later disarmed and left free," D.K. Sharma, Navy spokesperson told ANI.