Navy Deploys Two Warships in Gulf of Oman for Security of Indian vessels in Wake of Attacks on Oil Tankers

NEW DELHI: The Navy has deployed two warships in the Gulf of Oman to “reassure” Indian vessels in wake of two foreign oil tankers being attacked in the critical shipping lane in recent days amidst escalating tensions between the US and Iran in the region.
“We have deployed destroyer INS Chennai and patrol vessel INS Sunayna under Operation Sankalp to re-assure Indian flagged vessels operating/transiting through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman after the maritime security incidents in the region,” said Navy spokesperson Captain D K Sharma on Thursday.

The Navy is also conducting aerial surveillance with its P-8I long-range patrol aircraft in the area. “Moreover, the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region, which was launched by the Navy in December 2018, with its central hub at Gurugram, is also keeping a close watch on the movement of ships in the Gulf region,” added Captain Sharma.
Though the US and some others have blamed Iran for being behind the alleged attacks on the two oil tankers with mines and explosives, Teheran has strongly denied it. After a holistic review of the situation, the Indian Directorate General of Shipping issued two advisories on June 13 and 16 to all Indian-flag vessels to undertake all appropriate self-protection measures. “The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of Indian maritime trade and merchant vessels operating in the region and contributing towards maintaining a stable and peaceful Indian Ocean Region,” said the Navy.

Source: ToI

Image Courtesy: New Indian Express