Indian warship helps vessel hit by drone in Gulf of Aden

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) – Indian Navy said Thursday its warship responded to a distress call in the Gulf of Aden by a Marshall Island-flagged vessel Genco Picardy.

The Visakhapatnam warship was deployed for “anti-piracy operations" in a swift response to the distress call by the vessel following a drone attack on Wednesday night, said the navy.

The fire on the 22-crewed Genco Picardy was brought under control, it added.

On Thursday morning, specialists boarded the vessel and “after a thorough inspection have rendered the area safe for further transit."

"The vessel is proceeding to the next port of call,” the navy said.

Amid attacks in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, India last month deployed warships as a force deterrent in the region.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea.