Indian Navy’s MARCOs Rescue All Onboard Hijacked Ship MV Lila Norfolk In Dramatic Operation

The Indian Navy executed a daring rescue operation to save all 21 crew members of the hijacked MV Lila Norfolk, a Liberian-flagged vessel, 460 nautical miles off Somalia. Elite marine commandos, MARCOs, led the mission in the North Arabian Sea on January 5. A swift response, including a warship, patrol aircraft, helicopters, and drones, thwarted the hijacking attempt by five to six armed pirates. This incident follows a recent drone attack on the MV Chem Pluto, highlighting the Indian Navy’s increased vigilance in the Arabian Sea amid escalating maritime threats.

Who are  MARCOS commondo ?

• The MARCOs, formed in 1987, are among the country’s mighty commando forces, including the National Security Guard, Garud, Para commandos, Force One, and others.
• The MARCOs or Marine Commando Force of the Indian Navy comprise the toughest soldiers who undergo rigorous training to conduct swift and stealthy responses. MARCOs are modelled
• MARCOS can operate across diverse environments, encompassing sea, air, and land. They also engage in collaborative efforts with the Indian Army to conduct operations in areas such as Kashmir.
• ‘The few The fearless’ is the MARCOs’ motto. The force has earned recognition for its remarkable performance in Cactus, Leech, Pawan, and Cyclone operations. Notably, their valour and courage came to prominence during their involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
• The MARCOs also assisted in the initial stages of the Taj hotel attack in 2008, a report in MyGov stated.
• During the late 1980s, MARCOS executed a significant operation known as ‘Operation Pawan’ amidst the Sri Lankan Civil War. Their pivotal involvement in seizing key territories held by the LTTE played a crucial role in the restoration of peace in the region.