After detailed inspection of merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto on its arrival at Mumbai harbour after the attack by a suspected drone on merchant vessel on December 23, the Indian Navy deployed multiple Guided Missile Destroyers including INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata in various areas of the Arabian Sea to maintain a deterrent presence on Monday.The officials of Indian Navy also informed that long-range maritime reconnaissance P8I aircraft are also being regularly tasked to maintain domain awareness.In addition to this, the release also stated that the Western Naval Commands Maritime Operations Centre is closely monitoring the situation in close coordination with the Coast Guard and all concerned agencies.Meanwhile, after being in spate of the attack, the MV Chem Pluto, (Liberian Flag Chemical/lOil Tanker), carrying 21 Indian and 01 Vietnamese crew reached Mumbai and anchored safely at Outer Anchorage off Mumbai at 1530hr on 25 Dec 23.Soon after the arrival of vessel, the Indian Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team inspected the vessel to make a preliminary assessment to identify the nature of the attack. However, the forensic team further has to investigate and will do the technical analysis to establish the vector of attack including type and amount of explosive used.Images of the damage caused by the suspected drone attack on the merchant ship MV Chem Pluto have also been circulated on media. Moreover, the defence officials stated that the Indian Navy warships will be further enhancing their patrolling in the region to keep the Indian and other merchant vessels safe in the region. Images of the damage caused by the suspected drone attack on the merchant ship MV Chem Pluto. An Indian Navy team is assessing the damage caused by the strike and also investigating how the attack was carried out in the Arabian Sea. Indian Navy warships will be further enhancing… pic.twitter.com/F5SW7yrTUK— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2023More images of the damage caused by the suspected drone attack on the merchant ship MV Chem Pluto. An Indian Navy team is assessing the damage caused by the strike and also investigating how the attack was carried out in the Arabian Sea. Indian Navy warships will be further… pic.twitter.com/sjidfAPqPK— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2023Heres a brief to the whole episode:20 Indian and 1 Vietnamese crew members were on board the MV Chem Pluto when it was attacked by what seemed to be a drone on Saturday. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) later secured it, according to ICG statement.According to reports, the merchant vessel left the United Arab Emirates on December 19 and was scheduled to arrive at New Mangalore port on December 25.The official statement states that on December 23, information of a fire on board the MV Chem Pluto, which was allegedly attacked by an alleged airborne platform or drone strike was received by the Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai.No fatalities were reported.
