MV Chem Pluto reaches Mumbai: Probe points to drone attack, deploying guided missile destroyers, says Navy

The Navy dispatched a P8I maritime patrol aircraft and a warship, and the Coast Guard sent an offshore patrol vessel and a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to assist the Liberian-flagged commercial ship.

While there was some confusion over whether the attack was a missile or drone strike, the Navy, in a statement issued late Monday, said an analysis of the area of attack and debris found on the ship pointed towards a drone attack.

Damage caused to MV Chem Pluto in the drone attack . (ANI)

“The Indian Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team inspected the vessel to make a preliminary assessment of the type and nature of attack,” it said. “However, further forensic and technical analysis will be required to establish the vector of attack, including type and amount of explosive used.”

“Considering the recent spate of attacks in the Arabian Sea, Indian Navy has deployed guided missile destroyers INS Mormugao, INS Kochi and INS Kolkata in various areas to maintain a deterrent presence,” the Navy said in its statement.

According to the Navy, long-range maritime reconnaissance P8I aircraft are being regularly tasked to maintain domain awareness.

Chem Pluto, a chemical/ oil tanker with a crew of 21 Indians and a Vietnamese. (Express Photo)

“Western Naval Command’s Maritime Operations Centre is actively monitoring the situation in close coordination with Coast Guard and all concerned agencies,” it said.

The Navy said a joint investigation by various agencies has begun.

In Mumbai, a joint team of the police, ATS (Anti Terrorism Squad), IB (Intelligence Bureau), Navy and Coast Guard inspected Chem Pluto on its arrival. “The Indian Navy is investigating the matter and as they asked us to assist, a team from Yellow Gate police station was sent,” a senior Mumbai Police officer said.

“A lot depends on whether the location where the vessel was targeted is closer to Mumbai or Gujarat, following which the investigation shall be handed over to the respective state’s police station,” said a Mumbai Police officer, adding, “the captain of the ship will be able to confirm this.”

“MV Chem Pluto has been cleared for further operation by her company-in-charge at Mumbai,” the Navy said, adding that the ship was scheduled to undergo mandatory checks by the various inspecting authorities before undertaking Ship to Ship (STS) transfer of cargo.

The incident came amid a series of UAV and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea region, especially those bound for Israel, since October when the Israel-Hamas war began. (Express Photo)

This would likely be followed by docking and repairs of the damaged parts.

The incident came amid a series of UAV and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea region, especially those bound for Israel, since October when the Israel-Hamas war began.

A Gabon-flagged commercial oil tanker, MV Sai Baba, on its way to India with 25 crew members, all of them Indians, also came under drone attack in the southern Red Sea on Sunday, along with another Norwegian-flagged ship. There were no casualties reported.

The US Central Command said Sunday’s attack was carried out by the Houthis. On Saturday, it said Chem Pluto was hit by a drone launched from Iran.

Because of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, many shipping companies are rerouting their cargo vessels through longer routes leading to higher fuel costs.

– With inputs from Sagar Rajput, Mumbai