The Pakistan Navy has carried out a humanitarian rescue operation in the Arabian Sea, assisting a distressed merchant vessel carrying Indian crew members after it developed a technical fault mid-voyage.
Responding to a distress alert issued by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Mumbai, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency swiftly deployed its vessel PNS Kashmir to aid MV Gautam, which had encountered difficulties while sailing from Oman to India.
Officials said the ship was rendered inoperative due to a technical malfunction, prompting the emergency request for assistance.
Pakistan Navy Rescues Indian Sailors in Arabian Sea. 🇮🇳⚓🇵🇰
Following a Distress Call from Mumbai MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Center), Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Deployed PNS Khasmir to assist MV Gautham, which suffered a Technical Failure while Travelling from… pic.twitter.com/7PZvslgAbE
— Armed Forces Update (@ArmedUpdat1947) May 4, 2026
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Emergency Assistance to Crew
Upon reaching the vessel, Pakistani naval personnel began providing immediate support to the seven crew members onboard, including six Indian nationals and one Indonesian national, sources told Views News Now.
The crew is currently receiving food, medical care, and technical assistance as efforts continue to stabilize the vessel and ensure their safety.
Security sources said the operation reflects the Pakistan Navy’s readiness to respond to maritime emergencies and its commitment to upholding humanitarian responsibilities at sea.
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Pakistan Navy’s Other Maritime Rescue Efforts
The latest rescue follows a similar operation conducted earlier in April in the North Arabian Sea. At the time, PNS Hunain responded to a distress call from the merchant vessel Gold Autumn, located approximately 200 nautical miles off Pakistan’s coast.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), naval teams provided medical assistance, helped contain onboard fire damage, and carried out a full evacuation of the crew.
A total of 18 crew members—comprising nationals from China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia—were rescued and transported to Karachi for treatment and subsequent repatriation.
Commitment to Maritime Safety
Officials noted that the Pakistan Navy has undertaken numerous rescue and evacuation missions in recent years, particularly involving distressed merchant vessels and fishing boats across regional waters.
These operations underscore its role in maintaining maritime safety and responding to emergencies, regardless of nationality, in one of the world’s busiest and most strategically significant sea lanes.
Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 30 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 1997.
