Indian Navy opens Lakshadweep detachment

Kochi: In a step towards strengthening maritime security in and around Arabian Sea, the Southern Com-mand of the Indian Navy on Tuesday opened a naval detachment at Androth Island of the Lakshad-weep archipelago. The facility will function as an observance and reporting organisation apart from extending the Navy’s presence in Androth Island, provide communication network connectivity with mainland and enabling sea lanes of communication monitoring. It will also facilitate radar surveillance.

Inaugurating the facility, Flag Officer Comman-ding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra said Lakshadweep and Mnicoy Islands occupied a strategic location in the Arabian Sea. Pointing out that a number of shipping lanes pass close to these islands, Admiral Luthra said setting up of a Naval Detachment will enhance the Navy’s reach and surveillance, and contribute significantly to strengthen maritime security and stability.

Lt. Cdr. Angom B. Singh will head the detachment under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep and Minicoy Island). A number of infrastructure facilities at naval units located on Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti and Androth islands are also being progressively upgraded, a defence ministry release said.

The Naval detachment at Kavaratti was commissioned as a naval establishment, INS Dweepr-akshak, in 2012. Ships are also being based at the Islands to provide enha-nced surveillance and immediate response capability, it said.