Perpetrators will be brought to justice: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after drone attack on merchant vessel

India has stepped up vigilance after the suspected drone attack on a merchant vessel off the Porbandar coast and perpetrators of the strike will be brought to justice, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of stealth destroyer INS Imphal, the Union minister said that India’s growing economic and strategic power has caused jealousy and hatred, and attacks on ships ferrying goods to the country have been taken very seriously.

“The Indian government has taken the recent drone attack on MV Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea and the attack on MV Saibaba in the Red Sea a few days ago very seriously. We will find those who executed the attacks even from the depths of the seas and strict action will be taken against them,” Singh said. He added that the Indian Navy has increased surveillance in the high seas to deter such actions and protect commercial shipping.ET had reported on Monday that the Navy is stepping up its presence in the Arabian Sea after the attack with additional warships and naval surveillance aircraft have also been deployed to keep a lookout for suspicious vessels.

“India plays the role of a Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region touches greater heights. For this, together with our friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes secure. We have full confidence in the ability and strength of our Navy,” the minister said.

The spot where MV Chem Pluto reportedly came under attack is approximately 850 km from the nearest point on the Iranian Coast.Singh also commissioned the INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth-guided missile destroyer made by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.