Rescue Operation
Launched swift operation to help rescue Iran frigate crew, says Indian Navy
This story was originally published at 21:05 IST on 5 March 2026
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NEW DELHI – The Indian Navy Thursday said it had mounted a swift search and rescue operation on receiving distress signals from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena and deployed maritime patrol aircraft and two naval vessels to assist in the effort.
In a statement, the navy said, "A distress call from IRIS Dena was received at the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Colombo in the early hours of Mar. 4 as reported by the Sri Lankan Navy. On receipt of the information, the Indian Navy promptly launched its search and rescue efforts commencing with a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 1000 hours on Mar. 4 to augment the search efforts led by Sri Lanka." The navy said the Iranian vessel was operating 20 nautical miles west of Galle outside Indian waters.
IRIS Dena was returning to Iran after taking part in an event hosted by the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, in February when it was torpedoed by a US submarine Wednesday morning.
"INS Tarangini, which was operating in vicinity, was deployed for aiding the rescue efforts and arrived in search area by 1600 hours on Mar. 4. By this time search and rescue had been undertaken by Sri Lankan Navy and other agencies," the Indian Navy said in its statement.
INS Ikshak also sailed from Kochi, Kerala, to augment the search efforts and continues to remain in the area to look for missing personnel, the navy said, adding that an aircraft with air-droppable life rafts has been kept on standby. The navy said it is coordinating with the Sri Lankan authorities for the search and rescue operations. End
Reported by Asim Khan
Edited by Rajeev Pai
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