Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Saturday mentioned piracy has “resurfaced as an industry” in the wake of the manifestation of Israel-Hamas battle in the maritime area, whilst he emphasised that “no Indian-flagged vessel” has been focused by the Houthis at sea. Gaza has bore the brunt of this battle that broke out final October.
Many cargo vessels have been assaults by Houthi rebels in Red Sea and neighbouring area in the previous few months. Indian Navy on Saturday mentioned it has “responded to the manifestation of Israel-Hamas conflict in the maritime domain by reorienting and significantly enhancing the scope of its ongoing maritime security operations since mid-December last year”.
The navy undertook proactive actions throughout hijacking of Malta-flagged bulk service MV Ruen on December 14. A dramatic mid-sea operation undertaken by the Indian Navy together with the IAF not too long ago ended the three-month hijacking of the majority service with the deployment of its warship INS Kolkata, long-endurance Sea Guardian drones, P-8I surveillance plane and airdropping of elite MARCOS commandos from a C-17 airplane.
Admiral Kumar addressed a press convention earlier in the day marking the completion of 100 days of the continuing maritime safety operations below the aegis of the section two of ‘Op Sankalp’ which incorporates anti-drones, anti-missiles and anti-piracy operations.
“The 100 days of sustained ‘Op Sankalp’ has also broken the myth of short and swift operations. Therefore, there is a need to realise that we need to be able to carry forward sustained operations if we need to ensure there is need for safety, security, and stability in the oceans,” he mentioned. The tempo of operations have been fairly excessive, the Nave chief mentioned.
“As of yesterday, we had 11 submarines operating simultaneously at sea, we have more than 35 ships operating at sea, more than five aircraft deployed in different parts of the Indian Ocean. We are ensuring that our assets are deployed in an optimal manner to ensure it covers areas of interest. And, gives us the best information so that the maritime domain awareness and requisite degree of transparency is achieved,” he added.
He mentioned anti-piracy motion at sea had been taken by the Indian Navy in 2008 additionally. It had “gradually reduced” with a close to lull state of affairs between 2018 to nearly October 2023.
“In October, we saw the Israel-Hamas war suddenly starting and then the attack by the Houthis had started… And some sort of disorder happened in Red Sea. I think, there were people who took this opportunity to get into piracy. And, that is how I would say this piracy has again resurfaced as an industry, I would say, to profiteer and gain from the disorder happening in that area,” the Navy chief added. “We are determined that we will not permit it and that is why we are taking affirmative action,” he asserted.
The first section of Op Sankalp began in 2019. That was primarily to offer safety to ships popping out of the Persian Gulf, as a result of there have been some assault carried out on vessels there. “And, this we sustained with the presence of just one ship continuously.”
“Once we got information about vessels being targeted by drones, missiles and by pirates, then we renewed this ‘Op Sankalp’ into phase two part of it starting mid-December,” the Navy chief mentioned. Red Sea to Gulf of Aden to north Arabian Sea and sea off the east coast of Somalia, that is the realm the place “we are operating, deployed these ships,” he mentioned.
“So, the task is to ensure that there is safety, security and stability, so that our merchant vessels carrying essential requirements reach shores safely. And, to expedite response to live up to the expectation of being the ‘first responder’,” he mentioned.
Asked how lengthy will these operations proceed, he mentioned, “Till the Indian Ocean Region is not safe”. “There is no time limit you can put on it, but we will ensure that we are deployed there and we take positive, proactive, and affirmative action to ensure that the region is safe and secure,” Admiral Kumar mentioned.
To a question on whether or not any Indian ship has been focused or come near being goal by Houthis at sea, he mentioned, “No Indian-flagged vessel” has been focused by them. Houthis have been concentrating on any vessel which has “got links with Israel, either Israel-owned or Israel-flagged, or going to Israel or any linkages with Israeli business houses. That has been their targets,” the Navy chief informed reporters.
They have additionally been concentrating on a few of the ships which can be flagged with the western nations, he mentioned. “We have an interest in it because there are Indian crew aboard almost al these ships. Our national interests also extends to our personnel all over the world. Therefore if any of the ships are targeted, we try to help them, rescue them, provide assistance. We are not doing just for our nationals but any vessel in distress, as required by the law of the seas,” the admiral mentioned.
He mentioned a lot of firms have began “rerouting the ships” across the Cape of Good Hope. “And impact will be felt on us. So, we decided to take proactive actions and escort ships and make sure you are safe when you come through Red Sea,” the Navy chief mentioned.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
