At about 0845 hours on May 5, the Indian Navy received an SOS call from the Chinese merchant vessel 'Full City' about 450nm west of Karwar. In response, an Indian Navy aircraft and a CG ship were diverted towards providing support.
An Indian Navy TU 142 aircraft, which was on anti piracy patrol, arrived overhead 'Full City' in less than 30 minutes and observed a pirate mother ship nearby and an empty skiff alongside the ship.
The aircraft made a number of low passes over the ship and, according to the Indian Navy, strongly warned the pirates, on radio, to leave the merchant ship immediately, stating that warships were closing the area. The aircraft observed that the warning had the desired effect and the skiff was seen leaving the ship along with the pirates and heading for its mother ship nearby.
As there were no surface forces in the immediate vicinity to board 'Full City' and sanitise the ship, the aircraft maintained overhead for over three hours assisting the rescue operation by coordinating with the NATO Task Force.
The TU aircraft left the area after more than four hours, after ensuring that surface forces were within range to proceed with the boarding and sanitising operations.