In response to the situation, the Indian Navy launched an Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai, deployed for maritime security operations, to assist the vessel. Cargo Ship With 15 Indians on Board Hijacked Near Somalia: Indian Navy Responds Swiftly to Hijacking Incident in Arabian Sea, INS Chennai Rushing Towards Distressed Vessel.
The incident of hijacking of the cargo ship MV Lila Norfolk was reported on Jan 4 by UK Maritime Trade Operations, a British military organisation that tracks movements of various vessels in strategic waterways
Before embarking on the hijacked vessel, the Indian warship had launched its helicopter and issued warning to the Somali pirates to abandon the merchant ship.