ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has deployed warships in the Arabian Sea following “recent incidents of maritime security,” the country’s navy said on Sunday, amid a barrage of attacks led by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. 

India announced last week it had deployed three warships in the Arabian Sea after a drone hit an “Israel-affiliated” merchant vessel about 200 nautical miles (370km) off the coast of the western state of Gujarat. No casualties were reported in the attack, which the US blamed on Iran. Tehran dismissed Washington’s allegations. 

Exporters have been troubled in recent weeks by a spate of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels. The rebels are opposed to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and have vowed to target any ships passing through the Red Sea that are bound for the Jewish state. 

Last month, the rebels also claimed an attack on a Pakistan-bound ship from Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. 

“Pakistan Navy has deployed its warships in the Arabian Sea following the recent incidents of maritime security,” a spokesperson of the navy said in a statement. 

“Continuous aerial surveillance of these commercial passages is also being done by Pakistan Navy.”

The navy said the main purpose of the patrol is to ensure the safety of Pakistani and international merchant ships, adding that its warships always patrol the Arabian Sea to ensure its “constant presence.” 

“Pakistan Navy is well aware of its national responsibility in maintaining maritime peace and order in the region,” the statement noted. 

On Friday, India’s navy said its commandos rescued all crew members from a Liberian-flagged merchant vessel after its attempted hijack in the Arabian Sea. The navy said 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, were rescued from the vessel.