• Source:JND

US-Iran War: The Indian Navy on Thursday said it had launched a search and rescue operation after receiving a distress signal from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena on March 4, which was struck by a torpedo from a United States submarine near Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. The ill-fated ship was returning home from Visakhapatnam after a naval fleet review exercise.

The Indian Navy said a distress call from IRIS Dena reached the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Colombo during the early hours of March 4, adding that the officials had launched a search and rescue operation to augment Sri Lanka's efforts after an attack on an Iranian warship.

Indian Navy's Statement

The Indian Navy, in a statement, said a distress call from IRIS Dena was received at the MRCC Colombo in the early hours of 04 March 26 as reported by the Sri Lankan Navy.

"The ship was operating 20 NM West of Galle in the SAR region under Sri Lankan responsibility. On receipt of the information, the Indian Navy promptly launched its SAR efforts commencing with a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 1000 hr on 04 March 26 to augment the search efforts led by Sri Lanka. Another aircraft with air droppable life rafts was also kept standby for immediate deployment," it added.

INS Tarangini which was operating in vicinity was deployed for aiding the rescue efforts and arrived in search area by 1600 hr on 04 March 26, it asserted, adding that by this time SAR had been undertaken by Sri Lankan Navy and other agencies. "INS Ikshak has also sailed from Kochi to augment the search efforts and continues to remain in the area to search for missing personnel as a humanitarian measure for ship wrecked personnel. Coordination with the Sri Lankan side on Search and Rescue efforts is ongoing," the Indian Navy said. 

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The US submarine sank an Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, near Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday, spreading the ongoing war to the Indian Ocean. It was also a matter of concern for India as the warship was a part of a multi-national military exercise hosted by India. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi said the IRIS Dena was a guest of India's Navy.

Iran Issues Stern Warning After Warship Sinking

"The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran's shores. Frigate Dena, a guest of India's Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning. Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set," he wrote on X.

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On Wednesday, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had told Parliament that an emergency message was received by the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard at 5.08 am regarding a sinking ship named IRIS Dena, located about 40 nautical miles off Galle. Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath said, "We are only concerned about our obligation to rescue them as first responders under international maritime obligations." Thirty two of them were rescued while around 180 were said to be on board, he said.

Sri Lanka Rescues 32 Iranian Sailors

The Sri Lankan Navy rescued 32 Iranian sailors from a sinking Iranian naval ship off the southern coast, while several bodies were recovered from the site. The Navy spokesperson said several bodies were also found near the location of the distress signal, though the exact number was not immediately available.

The US and Israel have launched a massive joint attack on Iran since February 28. The war has extended to almost the entire Gulf region with Iran's retaliation.


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