Navy Launches Probe Into 'Drone Strike' On Merchant Vessel Off Gujarat Coast

The ship, carrying crude oil to New Mangalore port from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia, is on its way to Mumbai.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said that it received reports of an attack by Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) on a vessel which led to explosion and fire.

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New Delhi: The Indian Navy initiated an investigation into a suspected drone strike on a Mangalore-bound cargo vessel off India's west coast in the Arabian sea, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying. The Navy has launched the probe into the incident and the origin of the strike. The ship, carrying crude oil to New Mangalore port from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia, is on its way to Mumbai. According to the report, the vessel was attacked about 217 nautical miles from Porbandar. Security to the vessel is now being provided by Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram.

Soon after the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported the “drone strike” on MV Chem Pluto, the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard took swift action and stationed their assets, including a warship and maritime patrol aircraft. The cargo vessel had around 20 Indian crew members, PTI reported.

"The Coast Guard Dornier aircraft has sanitised the area and established communication with Chem Pluto. The vessel has started making way towards Mumbai post undertaking damage assessment and repairs on its power generation systems," the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement, as reported by PTI.

"The vessel is likely to enter Mumbai and sought escort assistance due to steering issues. Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram will be escorting the ship during its passage. The Indian Coast Guard Operations Centre is monitoring the situation closely," the statement said.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said that it received reports of an attack by Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) on a vessel which led to explosion and fire. The fire was extinguished an no casualty was reported, according to the news agency. The incident took place took place 200 nautical miles South West of Veraval in India.

Responding to the situation, Indian Navy said it has diverted a maritime patrol aircraft operating in the area undertaking routine surveillance. It has also diverted Indian naval ship Mormugao to assess the situation and provide assistance to the merchant vessel.

Responding swiftly to the developing situation, Indian Navy diverted a maritime patrol aircraft operating in area undertaking routine surveillance. Indian Navy also diverted Indian naval ship Mormugao to assess the situation and provide assistance to MT Chem Pluto. The naval…

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

The incident came in the wake of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.