The Indian Navy deployed four more ships INS Gharial, LCU 54, LCU 51 and LCU 57 with relief materials as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu in Sri Lanka. Photo credit: X/Defence PRO
As part of the ongoing Operation Sagar Bandhu, which was launched to provide urgent search and rescue and humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) assistance to Sri Lanka, the Indian Navy has deployed four more ships – INS Gharial, LCU 54, LCU 51 and LCU 57 – to transport relief material to areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
Earlier, INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya had extended critical support including relief deliveries and helicopter search and rescue operations.
According to the Indian Navy, three LCUs reached Colombo on the morning of 7 December and handed over vital relief supplies to the Sri Lankan authorities. INS Gharial was scheduled to arrive in Trincomalee on Monday to continue the humanitarian mission.
Carrying 1,000 tons of humanitarian supplies, this deployment highlights the deep people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka and reaffirms the Indian Navy’s unwavering commitment to provide timely humanitarian assistance throughout the Indian Ocean region.
Published – 8 Dec 2025 21:54 IST
