Republic TV Crew Detained for Filming Iranian Naval Ship at Kochi Port Without Permission

Kochi: Security personnel detained a crew from Republic TV for attempting to film an Iranian naval vessel anchored at Kochi Port without authorization. The CISF arrested a reporter, a cameraman and the boat driver who was navigating their boat in the backwaters.

The Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan arrived in Kochi on Wednesday after reportedly seeking emergency anchorage due to a technical fault. According to port authorities, permission to anchor was requested on February 28 and granted on March 1.

The vessel had earlier participated in an international naval exercise in Vishakhapatnam before arriving in Kochi. Due to the sensitivity surrounding the ship’s presence, heavy security arrangements were put in place in the backwaters near the Southern Naval Command headquarters.

Accommodation was arranged at naval facilities in Kochi for the 183 personnel on board the vessel while repair work is being carried out. Earlier this week, another Iranian ship, IRIS Dena, was destroyed by a US submarine.

In a related development in the region, maritime authorities in Sri Lanka rescued 208 people from an Iranian vessel that ran aground off the country’s coast in the Indian Ocean. The rescued passengers were shifted to the Welisara Naval Camp, while 15 crew members remained on board due to technical issues.

The grounded ship, identified as IRIS Bushehr, reportedly ran aground in Sri Lankan waters on Thursday. Authorities are continuing efforts to stabilize the vessel and ensure the safety of the remaining crew.