Indian Navy commandos launch mission to rescue MV Ruen crew from pirates: report

Economy
By Liam

MARCOS of the Indian Navy boards FV Omari (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Indian Navy’s naval commandos have launched a major operation to rescue the crew of the hijacked merchant ship MV Ruen from Somali pirates, reports said citing Indian Navy officials.

“According to information from the crew, there are approximately 25 pirates on board the merchant ship who could have used it as a mother ship to commit piracy in nearby areas. Indian Navy operations are underway,” Indian Navy officials told the News. desk ANI.

The Navy had intercepted the pirate-controlled ex-MV Ruen ship on Friday, March 15. It was hijacked by Somali pirates on December 14, 2023. There are at least 15 crew members on the ship from Bulgaria, Angola and Myanmar, Navy officials said.

After being intercepted, the pirates opened fire on the Indian warship, which is taking appropriate measures to counter piracy in accordance with international law. The operation by the commandos had begun at the time of filing this report.

“The ex-MV Ruen, which was hijacked by Somali pirates on December 14, is said to have sailed as a pirate ship to carry out piracy on the high seas,” the navy said.

“The pirates on board the ship have been called upon to surrender and release the ship and any civilians they may be holding against their will,” the Navy said in a statement.

In recent weeks, the Indian Navy has provided assistance to a number of merchant ships in the western Indian Ocean following attacks on them.

The Indian Navy foiled a piracy attempt on an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel with a crew of 11 Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals along the eastern coast of Somalia earlier this month.

In January, the Indian warship INS Sumitra rescued 19 Pakistani crew from an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel after it was attacked by pirates off the east coast of Somalia.

The Navy thwarted an attempted hijacking of the Liberian-flagged ship MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea on January 5 and rescued all its crew.

The Liberian-flagged ship MV Chem Pluto, with 21 Indian crew members, was the target of a drone attack off the west coast of India on December 23.

The Navy has already enhanced the deployment of its frontline ships and surveillance aircraft for maritime security operations in view of the maritime environment in the critical sea lanes, including in the North and Central Arabian Seas.

(With input from the agency)

First print: March 16, 2024 | 8:00 pm IST

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