Following a distress call from IRIS Dena west of Galle, India deployed aircraft and naval vessels to assist Sri Lanka in rescuing survivors after a US strike killed 87 sailors
Soon after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena sank in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy quickly launched a search and rescue operation deploying maritime patrol aircraft and two naval vessels, the Navy said.
A distress signal from IRIS Dena was received early on (Wednesday) March 4 by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Colombo, the Sri Lankan Navy reported.
At the time, the frigate was operating about 20 nautical miles west of Galle, within Sri Lanka’s designated search and rescue zone.
Upon receiving the alert, the Indian Navy dispatched a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 1000 hours on Wednesday to support Sri Lanka’s ongoing operations.
A second aircraft carrying air-droppable life rafts was kept on standby for immediate deployment.
INS Tarangini, already operating nearby, was redirected to the search area, reaching the site by 1600 hours on the same day. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Navy and other agencies had already begun rescue operations.
To strengthen the effort, INS Ikshak sailed from Kochi and continues to remain in the area. The Navy described its deployment as “a humanitarian measure for shipwrecked personnel.” Coordination with Sri Lankan authorities is ongoing.
US confirms strike
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth confirmed that the sinking of IRIS Dena was carried out by the United States, calling it a “huge win” for Washington.
“America is winning decisively, devastatingly and without mercy. Under the direct command of President Trump, the War Department unleashed this operation,” Hegseth said, adding that the US is committed to ensuring the success of its joint operation with Israel.
The frigate had been returning from a naval exercise at Visakhapatnam, India when it was hit, approximately 2,000 nautical miles from Iran.
The attack killed around 87 sailors, while 32 survivors were rescued by Sri Lankan forces. Several others remain missing and are presumed dead.
With inputs from agencies
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