An Indian Navy chopper in action in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday. PTI

New Delhi: The Indian Navy rescued a merchant vessel MV Lord Mountbatten from a piracy attempt in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday.  Ironically, the 20,000 tonne ship is named after Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India. A Navy spokesperson said, “On May 16, about 16:45 hrs, the INS Sharda received a distress call from MV Lord Mountbatten, 230nm South-West of Salalah Oman in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel had reported an incident of attempted piracy by two suspicious mother vessels along with 7-8 skiffs.” INS Sharda, which was 30nm from the merchant vessel at that time responded immediately. The ship was deployed for anti-piracy operations since April 6, 2017. As soon as INS Sharda arrived at the location three of the skiffs which are like fast motor boats fled the area. TNS