• Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Trikand altered its course to reach a fishing vessel in the Central Arabian Sea and provided urgent medical assistance to a critically injured Pakistani crew member onboard it, off the coast of Oman.

• INS Trikand intercepted a distress call from an Iranian dhow Al Omeedi on April 4.

• Upon further investigation, it was found that a crew member of the dhow had sustained severe injuries to his fingers while working on the engine and was in critical condition, and that he had been transferred to another dhow named FV Abdul Rehman Hanzia, which was en route to Iran. 

• The person had suffered severe injuries involving multiple fractures and blood loss.

• Trikand immediately altered her course to provide medical assistance to the injured crew member.

• The frigate, operating in the Central Arabian Sea, provided the urgent critical medical assistance to the Pakistani crew of the fishing vessel operating approximately 350 nautical miles east of the Oman coast.

• Upon reaching the fishing vessel, the Indian Navy’s medical team, supported by MARCOS (Marine Commandos) and the ship’s boarding team, conducted a complex three-hour surgical procedure. 

• The prompt and professional intervention by INS Trikand likely saved the man’s fingers and possibly his life.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)