The Indian naval forces rescued the ship “Ruen,” which had been hijacked few months ago by Somali pirates, and ensured safe evacuation of 17 crewmembers.
The India’s navy spokesperson said in an update posted to “X” that all 35 pirates on the Maltese-flagged vessel had surrendered and that the naval forces had subsequently checked the vessel for illegal arms, ammunition, and contraband.
The ship, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on 14 December, 2023, was intercepted by an Indian navy warship on 15 March.
The Maltese-flagged vessel was intercepted by a warship, and action was taken in accordance with international law.
During the interception, the Ruen reportedly opened fire on the Indian Navy warship, prompting a response from naval officials.
The INS Kolkata “in the last 40 hours, through concerted actions successfully cornered and coerced all 35 pirates to surrender and ensured safe evacuation of 17 crew members in the evening today 16 March 24 from the pirate vessel without any injury,” the navy said in a statement late Saturday.
The Indian navy located the ship in December and since then, EU forces from Operation Atalanta, had been monitoring it.
The INS Kolkata warship had carried out the interception of the ship Ruen almost 1400 nm (2600km) from the Indian Coast, according to the military.
The pirate ship was forced to stop through calibrated actions which were augmented by INS Subhadra, HALE RPA, P8I maritime patrol aircraft and MARCOS PRAHARs air-dropped by C-17 aircraft.
As it is reported by the spokesperson of the Indian navy, “the ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on 14 December 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of piracy on high seas.”
The vessel opened fire on the warship, and the pirates onboard the vessel have been called upon to surrender and release the vessel and the crew members.
Since the Houthi attacks, experts say, cargo ships have become more vulnerable to attack as they slow down to await instructions on whether to proceed to the Red Sea.
Source: Indian navy spokesperson.
