- INS Trikand responded to a distress call 350 nautical miles off the Oman coast.
- A Pakistani fisherman had sustained severe hand injuries on an Iranian dhow.
- The Navy’s swift medical intervention prevented permanent damage and saved his life.
The Indian Navy’s INS Trikand sprang into action on April 4 after receiving a distress call from the Iranian fishing vessel Al Omeedi in the Central Arabian Sea. The call reported that a Pakistani crew member had suffered serious finger injuries while working on the engine.
The medical team, comprising a naval doctor, MARCOS commandos, and the ship’s boarding party, boarded the vessel and performed a three-hour procedure.
Humanity at Sea: Indian Navy Delivers Life-Saving Aid to Pakistani Sailor
INS Trikand, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, was on operational deployment in the Arabian Sea when it intercepted an emergency call from Al Omeedi, an Iranian fishing dhow. The situation was dire—one crew member had suffered severe trauma to his fingers and was losing blood rapidly. By the time Trikand made contact, the injured sailor had been transferred to another vessel en route to Iran.
The Indian Navy immediately launched a medical intervention. A team of specialists, including a naval doctor and marine commandos, boarded the vessel FV Abdul Rehman Hanzia. The injured fisherman, identified as a Pakistani national of Baloch ethnicity, had multiple fractures and deep lacerations on his hand.
A three-hour surgery was conducted onboard the vessel. The team performed suturing and splinting under local anesthesia, managing to stop the bleeding and prevent the onset of gangrene. The swift action was crucial to saving the man’s fingers and possibly his life.
In addition to the surgery, the Indian Navy handed over antibiotics and other medical supplies to the crew. This was to aid in the recovery process during their onward journey to Iran. The crew’s expression of gratitude served as a reminder of how acts of compassion transcend borders, even amid complex geopolitics.
This timely act of maritime compassion highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to upholding humanitarian values and safeguarding lives at sea—regardless of nationality.
“The sea has no borders when it comes to saving lives.” – Anonymous Naval Officer
