INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Indian navy will deploy guided missile destroyer ships in the Arabian Sea as a deterrent after an Israel-affiliated merchant vessel was
struck off the Indian coast over the weekend.The navy was investigating the nature of the attack on the vessel, MV Chem Pluto, which docked
in Mumbai on Monday, and initial reports pointed to a drone attack, a navy statement said.Further forensic and technical analysis will be
required to establish the vector of attack, including type and amount of explosive used,& the statement added.India was committed to keeping
sea lanes in the Indian ocean region safe and secure for maritime trade, Reuters reported.India plays the role of a net security provider in
the entire Indian Ocean region
We will ensure that maritime trade in this region rises from the sea to the heights of the sky,& Rajnath Singh, India&s Defence Minister,
said at the commissioning ceremony of another guided missile destroyer ship in Mumbai on Tuesday.Prime Minister Narendra Modi&s government
had taken the drone attack on MV Chem Pluto and an earlier attack on commercial crude oil vessel MV Sai Baba, in the Red Sea, very
seriously, Singh said.The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance of the seas
We shall find whoever is responsible for this attack and strict action will be taken against them,& he said.Iran&s foreign ministry on
Monday called a United States claim that Iran had attacked the ship near India &baseless&.The Pentagon said on Saturday that a drone
launched from Iran struck the MV Chem Pluto in the Indian Ocean
The strike came as a United States -led task force is trying to counter similar challenges in the Red Sea.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 statement said.The vessel&s crew included 21 Indians and one Vietnamese citizen.The post Indian
navy to deploy guided missile destroyer ships after strike off its coast first appeared on Ariana News.
