India’s navy takes control of ship hijacked by Somali pirates


Delhi: The Indian navy said late Saturday that it had taken control of a bulk carrier hijacked by Somali pirates and evacuated the 17 crew members on the vessel.

In a statement on X, the navy said all 35 pirates on board the Maltese-flagged MV Ruen had surrendered and the vessel was checked for illegal arms, ammunition and contraband. The whole operation took about 40 hours and involved drones, navy vessels and marine commandos.

People on board the hijacked ship ex-MV Ruen on Saturday.

People on board the hijacked ship ex-MV Ruen on Saturday.Credit: AP

The development came after men on the bulk carrier fired at an Indian warship in international waters on Friday, triggering the navy to intercept the vessel some 2600 kilometres off the Indian coast.

The vessel was first boarded by pirates December 14 near the Yemeni island of Socotra, around 240 kilometres off Somalia.

Activity from Somali pirates has dropped in recent years, but there has been growing concern it could resume amid the political uncertainty and wider chaos in the region that has included attacks on ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

India’s Press Information Bureau shows the Maltese-flagged MV Ruen.

India’s Press Information Bureau shows the Maltese-flagged MV Ruen. Credit: AP

Earlier this week, a Bangladesh-flagged cargo ship with 23 crew members was hijacked by pirates off Somalia. A European Union vessel was tracking the ship, the EU’s maritime security force said Wednesday.

India recently began to flex its naval power in international waters, including anti-piracy patrols and a widely publicised deployment close to the Red Sea to help protect ships from attacks during Israel’s war with Hamas.

The navy has helped at least four merchant vessels that were attacked in high seas by Houthi forces. Indian forces include three guided missile destroyers and reconnaissance aircraft.



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