After a drone targeted the MV Chem Pluto bound for India, the Indian Navy has declared an increased presence of warships and air surveillance in the Indian Ocean region. Collaborating with national maritime agencies, the Navy aims to bolster the safety of merchant marines in the area.
Responding to the specific MV Chem Pluto incident, the Indian Navy conducted an on-site examination, collecting crew inputs. The analysis strongly indicates a drone attack, causing significant damage above the waterline. Remnants of projectiles have been gathered for further forensic analysis in cooperation with other agencies.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, India\’s Navy Chief, received a briefing on the initial analysis and subsequent actions taken by the Indian Navy\’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team.
The Liberian-flagged MV Chem Pluto, a chemical/oil tanker carrying 21 Indians, safely arrived in Mumbai under the escort of the Indian Navy. The vessel underwent a thorough inspection by the explosive ordnance disposal team.
Significantly, the attack occurred amid tensions in the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels target commercial vessels in response to Israeli airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza. The United States has accused Iran-backed forces of attacking MV Chem Pluto, a charge vehemently denied by Iran.
Addressing the situation, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed India\’s serious concern about the MV Chem Pluto attack. He pledged to identify and take strict action against those responsible, stating, \”Whoever carried out this attack, we will find them even from the depth of the sea and take strict action against them.\”