Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphatically pledged to identify and take decisive action against the perpetrators responsible for the assault on the merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea, as it traversed towards the New Mangalore port. Singh expressed unwavering determination, asserting that he would seek out those behind the attack "even from the depth of seas."
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Rajnath Singh underscored the government's intensified surveillance efforts in response to the maritime assaults. He conveyed that the administration is treating these sea attacks with the utmost seriousness, emphasizing the augmentation of surveillance measures. The defense minister further assured that stringent action would be taken against the assailants, even if they were to be located beneath the sea.
Drawing attention to the geopolitical context, Rajnath Singh suggested that certain nations harbor discontent with India's progress, alluding to a potential motive for such attacks. The incident in question involved the MV Chem Pluto, a cargo vessel transporting crude oil from Saudi Arabia, reportedly subjected to a drone attack by Houthi militants in the Arabian Sea off India's west coast during its journey to the New Mangalore port.
The chemical tanker, flying the Liberian flag, owned by Japan, and operated by the Netherlands, fell victim to the drone strike on December 23, approximately 200 nautical miles off the Indian coast. Its cargo comprised crude oil sourced from the Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia destined for the New Mangalore port. Fortunately, the Indian Navy reported that none of the 20 crew members, comprising Indian and Vietnamese nationals, suffered injuries during the attack.
Providing a reassuring update, the cargo ship safely reached the Mumbai port on Monday, under the protective escort of the Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram. This development signifies the commitment to ensuring the security of maritime activities and addressing potential threats to shipping vessels in the region.
