New Delhi: Indian Navy has deployed its warships to undertake escort operations through the Straits of Malacca along with the US Navy, it was officially stated on July 16.

The decision to deploy the ships was taken as part of India's involvement in the "Operation Enduring Freedom" against the global fight against terrorism, an official release said.

The escort duties have been divided between ships of the Indian and the American Navy for a period of six months each.

An offshore Indian patrol vessel, INS Sharda, from the Southern Naval Command has become the first coalition warship to be deployed for escort operations in the Malacca Straits, after having been deployed in the area since April.

INS Sukanya, another warship belonging to the Eastern Naval Command, has now taken over from INS Sharda to carry out the mission of escorting high-value vessels for the next three months.

PTI