SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
In a bold military intervention, an Indian warship, supported by marine commandos, successfully thwarted the efforts of 35 Somali pirates to utilize a hijacked merchant vessel as a "mother ship" for launching attacks on other commercial ships in the high seas. The operation, which involved even firing exchanges, resulted in the safe evacuation of 17 crew members from the hijacked merchant vessel, MV Ruen, and the apprehension of all 35 pirates.
Guided-missile destroyer INS Kolkata spearheaded the operation, located approximately 2,600 km from the Indian coast, supported by patrol vessel INS Subhadra, P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft, high-altitude long-endurance drones, and additional marine commandos air-dropped by an IAF C-17 aircraft. The operation, conducted east of the Somalia coast, also involved sanitizing the vessel to ensure the absence of illegal arms, ammunition, and contraband.
The hijacked MV Ruen, commandeered by Somali pirates since December, aimed to serve as a platform for piracy attacks in the region. Upon interception by INS Kolkata on Friday, the warship faced resistance from some pirates who opened fire. In response, INS Kolkata acted in self-defense and to counter piracy threats, employing minimal force necessary to neutralize the danger posed by the pirates.
The warship demanded the surrender of the pirates and the release of the vessel and its crew, consisting of individuals from Bulgaria, Angola, and Myanmar, who were held hostage. Through concerted actions, INS Kolkata successfully coerced all 35 pirates to surrender, ensuring the safe evacuation of the crew members.
The Indian Navy, prepared to take action if the pirates refused to surrender, maintains a policy of disarming and setting adrift apprehended pirates to neutralize any potential threat they pose to other vessels in the area. The operation underscores India's commitment to combating piracy and ensuring the safety of maritime trade routes.
