TNI Bureau: The Indian Navy has issued a detailed statement explaining the steps it took after the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena came under attack in the Indian Ocean earlier this week.

According to the statement, a distress call from the Iranian vessel was received at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Colombo during the early hours of March 4. The ship was located about 20 nautical miles west of Galle, within the Search and Rescue (SAR) region under the responsibility of Sri Lanka.

After receiving the information from the Sri Lanka Navy, the Indian Navy immediately initiated search and rescue operations. A long-range maritime patrol aircraft was launched at around 10:00 AM on March 4 to support the ongoing rescue efforts being led by Sri Lankan authorities.

Another aircraft equipped with air-droppable life rafts was kept on standby for rapid deployment if required.
The Navy also deployed the sailing vessel INS Tarangini, which was operating nearby, to assist with the rescue mission.

The ship reached the search area by 4:00 PM on March 4. By that time, search operations had already been underway by the Sri Lankan Navy and other responding agencies.

In addition, the survey vessel INS Ikshak sailed from Kochi to further strengthen the search effort. The ship continues to remain in the area to help locate missing personnel as part of a humanitarian mission for the shipwrecked sailors.

The Indian Navy said it remains in continuous coordination with Sri Lankan authorities as search and rescue operations continue in the region. The statement highlights India’s role in providing humanitarian assistance at sea even amid rising tensions in international waters.