Indian and Chinese navy personnel rescued a merchant ship in the Gulf of Aden after the vessel was hijacked by pirates, a report said.

OS 35, a bulk carrier, was attacked by pirates last night and the Indian Navy deployed two warships after getting a distress call from the hijacked ship, said The Times of India report.

The Chinese Navy also came to the help of the ship while the Indian Navy provided air cover. The PLA deployed 18 of its personnel to sanitise the ship, a senior navy official said in New Delhi.