India, Dec. 31 -- The Indian Navy on Sunday (December 31, 2023) said it has beefed up surveillance in the Central and North Arabian Sea amid frequent security incidents on merchant vessels sailing through international shipping lanes.

In a statement, the Indian Navy said: "The last few weeks have witnessed increased maritime security incidents on merchant vessels transiting through international shipping lanes in Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Central/ North Arabian Sea."

The Indian Navy said Task Groups comprising destroyers and frigates have been deployed to undertake maritime security operations and render assistance to merchant vessels in case of any incident.

The Navy said it is operating in close coordination with the Coast Guard.

"T...