Indian Navy foils pirate attack in Gulf of Aden:Pirates flee as INS Trikand’s MARCOS Commandos secure merchant vessel

The Indian Navy on Wednesday night foiled an attempted pirate attack on merchant vessel MV Golden Arsenal in the Gulf of Aden, ensuring the safety of the crew, the vessel and its cargo. According to officials, the pirates attempted to board the merchant ship while it was transiting through the Gulf of Aden. The vessel was carrying critical cargo bound for India and had an Indian national among its crew members. As the pirates tried to seize control of the ship, the crew immediately activated standard anti-piracy procedures. They locked themselves inside the vessel’s designated safe room, or citadel, to prevent the attackers from gaining access and simultaneously alerted maritime authorities and the Indian Navy through established radio communication channels, seeking immediate assistance. Responding swiftly to the distress call, INS Trikand, which was deployed in the region on an operational mission, altered its course and proceeded at high speed to the merchant vessel’s location. On spotting the approaching Indian Navy warship, the suspected pirates abandoned their attempt and fled the area before they could take control of the vessel. Following the incident, a team of Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS) boarded MV Golden Arsenal to conduct a detailed sanitisation and security operation. The commandos carried out a thorough search of the vessel to ensure that no pirates remained on board and declared the ship completely safe for the crew to resume normal operations. Officials said no injuries were reported among the crew members and the vessel did not sustain any damage during the attempted attack. Sources said MV Golden Arsenal was carrying highly important cargo destined for India, making the swift response by the Indian Navy crucial in preventing any disruption to the shipment. An Indian citizen was among the crew members on board, all of whom were reported safe following the operation. The incident highlights the continued threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. The Indian Navy has maintained a sustained presence in the region through anti-piracy and maritime security deployments, responding to distress calls from merchant vessels and ensuring the safety of international shipping passing through the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and adjoining waters. ​