Rajnath Singh pledges to hunt down culprits of Arabian Sea drone attacks

In a significant response to recent drone attacks on commercial ships in the Arabian Sea, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted the government's unwavering commitment to identifying and bringing the culprits to justice. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of INS Imphal, Singh emphasised the seriousness of the situation, promising to unearth the truth even from the depth of the ocean.

Addressing the attendees, Singh acknowledged the heightened turbulence in the sea, attributing it to India's escalating economic and strategic power. He expressed concern that this ascent has triggered jealousy and hatred among certain forces, leading to security challenges in maritime regions.

#WATCH | On anti-piracy & anti-drone strike operations by Indian Navy, Naval Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar says, "...It is a matter of concern now that the number of attacks has gone up now... Since 19th November, there have been a total of 30 drone attacks and piracy attacks...we… pic.twitter.com/Oy9G7hkguM

— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2023

Singh also highlighted the Government of India's proactive stance in response to the recent drone attacks. He emphasised the seriousness with which the government views the incidents involving 'MV Chem Pluto' in the Arabian Sea and 'MV Sai Baba' in the Red Sea. The Indian Navy has bolstered surveillance in the sea, deploying several aircraft and destroyers to maintain a deterring presence.

Pledge to uncover the culprits from the depths of the seas

In a resolute statement, Singh asserted, "Whoever has carried out this attack, we will find them even if it is from the depth of the ocean." The defence minister expressed confidence that those behind these attacks would be brought to justice, underlining the government's commitment to securing its maritime interests.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Commissioning Ceremony of ‘INS Imphal’ says, "Nowadays the turbulence in the sea has increased a bit. India's growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and hatred. The Government of India has… pic.twitter.com/qZokDW0kCu

— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2023

Commissioning of INS Imphal

Singh took the opportunity to highlight the commissioning of INS Imphal as a crucial step in reinforcing India's naval capabilities. Named after Imphal, a city symbolising the glory of the Northeast, the warship is part of the 15B project, representing cities from Visakhapatnam to Surat. This, according to Singh, reflects the unity and integrity of India, showcasing a harmonious blend of North-South, East-West influence.

Rajnath Singh also expressed India's commitment to ensuring that maritime trade in the region reaches new heights. Despite the challenges posed by recent security concerns, he lauded the government's determination to create an environment where maritime trade flourishes.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Commissioning Ceremony of ‘INS Imphal’ says, "The induction of 'INS Imphal' into the Indian Navy shows India's self-reliance in the defence sector. This reflects the commitment of MDL and Navy towards national security, and… pic.twitter.com/3asBLNI5jB

— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2023

Recent drone attack on 'Chem Pluto'

Highlighting a recent incident, Singh mentioned the drone attack on the merchant vessel Chem Pluto, a Liberian-flagged ship helmed by an Indian crew. The Navy, after a preliminary assessment, confirmed that the attack appeared to be a drone strike. Singh revealed that the Navy has deployed destroyers to deter such attacks and ensure the security of commercial ships.