New Delhi: Indian Navy has foiled a suspected piracy attack on a merchant vessel in the western Indian Ocean.“Responding quickly to inputs of pirate activity near merchant ship MV Mashallah 1, stealth guided-missile destroyer INS Kolkata took prompt action to investigate and deter the threat,” the Navy said in a statement.Officials said the warship reached the location, monitored the activities of the suspected pirates and effectively deterred them through its operational presence. The investigation was conducted using a helicopter on board INS Kolkata. During the mission, the Navy also ensured safe passage for MV Mashallah 1 through the sensitive maritime area.“This timely intervention ensured the safety of the merchant vessel and prevented a potential piracy attack,” the statement said. This incident happened around the Gulf of Aden.Following the incident, the Indian Navy, as a preferred security partner and first responder in the region, said it is committed to protecting merchant shipping, countering piracy and ensuring safe and secure seas.The western Indian Ocean and parts of the Gulf of Aden have seen an increase in piracy-related incidents in recent years, posing serious challenges to merchant vessels, officials said. To deal with such growing threats, the Navy has deployed its frontline warships in the area to keep a check on piracy activities and maintain constant surveillance on merchant vessels.The Navy has also conducted several joint exercises and coordinated operations with friendly foreign countries in recent years to strengthen anti-piracy mechanisms.INS Kolkata, the destroyer that foiled the suspected piracy attack, was inducted into the Indian Navy by PM Modi in August 2014. It is equipped with a range of artillery and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapons and is the largest indigenously built warship. The ship is equipped with medium-range and short-range guns, air and anti-surface missiles, air and surface surveillance radar, as well as bow-mounted sonar. Modern navigation and communication systems have also been installed on the ship.