The Indian NAVY, with the help of its long-range anti-submarine warfare aircraft, has thwarted a "piracy" attempt in the Western Arabian Sea, 800 nautical miles off Mumbai, targeted at a merchant vessel.
The incident happened on April 15. The P8I aircraft on surveillance monitored one motherboat and two high-speed skiffs approaching the vessel sailing with Malta flag. The vessel sought assistance to counter suspected piracy, a Navy spokesperson said today.
"The aircraft immediately responded and made warning transmissions," the official said.
The suspicious motherboat and the skiffs altered course after seeing the approaching aircraft, he said.
"The pirate attack on the merchant vehicle was foiled successfully. It shows our maritime domain awareness and our vigilant eye on our area of responsibility," the official said.
