Pakistan navy launches rescue operation for Indian and Indonesian sailors in Arabian Sea

WEB DESK: In a display of maritime cooperation and humanitarian spirit, the Pakistan Navy has launched an emergency rescue operation to assist seven crew members stranded aboard a vessel in the Arabian Sea.

The operation was initiated following a distress call regarding the merchant vessel MV Gautam, which was en route from Oman to India.

According to security sources, the ship suffered a critical technical failure, leaving the crew comprising six Indian nationals and one Indonesian national vulnerable in open waters.

The Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai formally contacted Pakistani authorities to request urgent assistance for the stricken vessel, according to Radio Pakistan.

Rapid deployment of PMSA Kashmir

Upon receiving the emergency coordinates, the Pakistan Navy immediately mobilised the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship Kashmir to the scene.

The swift response underlines the established protocols for maritime safety in the region, where life-saving interventions often transcend geopolitical boundaries.

The Kashmir reached the vessel to provide a security perimeter and begin the essential task of stabilising the situation for those on board.

Provision of medical and technical aid

The rescue teams have since boarded the MV Gautam to assess the welfare of the sailors. Sources confirm that the Indian and Indonesian crew members are currently being provided with fresh food supplies, necessary medical attention, and technical support to address the ship’s mechanical faults. A spokesperson for the Pakistan Navy reiterated that the force remains “ready and determined” to provide effective assistance in any emergency situation at sea, upholding international maritime traditions of rescue and relief.