The merchant vessel
had been hijacked in December 2023 and was under the control of the Somalian
Pirates till now.
Indian
Navy as part of the Maritime Security Operations has been carrying out
extensive surveillance in the region including monitoring of traffic in Areas
of Interest. Based on the analysis of the surveillance information the Indian
Navy was able to track the movement of the Pirate Ship Ruen and directed INS
Kolkata to intercept the ship approximately 260 Nm East of Somalia. Kolkata intercepted
Ruen in the morning of 15 Mar 24, and confirmed the presence of armed pirates
through a ship-launched drone. In a reckless hostile act, the pirates
shot down the drone and fired at the Indian Naval warship. In a calibrated
response iaw International Laws, Kolkata disabled the ship's
steering system and navigational aids, forcing the Pirate Ship to stop.
INS
Kolkata undertook precisely measured actions while maintaining her position
close to the Pirate Ship and also engaged in forceful negotiations, which resulted in the Pirates surrendering and
releasing the pirate ship MV Ruen and its original crew present onboard.
The efforts of the Indian Navy in the ongoing
anti-piracy operation 1400 nm (2600 km) from mainland India were augmented by
the deployment of INS Subhadra in the area AM 16 Mar 24, and also by
air-dropping of the Marine Commandos (PRAHARS) by C-17 aircraft in the same
afternoon.
Additionally, the pirate vessel was kept under surveillance by HALE RPA and P8I
maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Due to sustained pressure and
calibrated actions by the Indian Navy over the last 40 hours, all 35 Somali
pirates surrendered PM 16 Mar 24. All 17 original crew members of MV Ruen were
also safely evacuated from the pirate vessel without any injury. The vessel
has also been sanitised for the presence of illegal arms, ammunition and
contraband.
The seaworthiness of MV Ruen will
be assessed in the morning on 17 Mar 2024, and the vessel which is carrying
approx. 37800 T of cargo estimated at around one million dollars will be
brought safely to India.
The
culmination of the ongoing Anti-Piracy operation involving pirate ship Ruen in
the Southern IOR highlights the commitment of the Indian Navy towards
reinforcing peace and stability, and also to thwart the resurgence of Piracy in
the region. The Indian Navy remains
steadfast in performing its role as the 'First Responder' in IOR.