Hours after Indian Navy foiled Somali pirates attempt to hijack ships by intercepting their vessel in the high seas off the east coast of Somalia, Indian navy established communication with the crew of the merchant vessel ex-MV Ruen.
Briefing the details, Indian Navy officials said, as quoted by news agency ANI, that they have established communication with the crew of the merchant vessel, where 15-plus crew are from Bulgaria, Angola and Myanmar.
Meanwhile, the pirates fired at the Indian Navy and the operation by Indian commandoes is on.
Earlier, the pirates had sailed out on board a ship that was hijacked around three months ago.
ALSO READ Indian Navy thwarts Somali Pirates’ Hijacking Attempt; intercepts ex-MV Ruen | Watch Video
A tweet by an Indian Navy spokesperson stated, “The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on #14Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of #piracy on high seas.”
“The vessel was intercepted by the #IndianNavy warship on #15Mar. The vessel opened fire on the warship, which is taking actions iaw international law, in self-defence & to counter piracy, with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers,” it added.
The Indian Navy had called upon the pirates aboard the vessel to to surrender immediately and release any civilians they may be holding against their will.
To maintain maritime security and ensure the safety of seafarers navigating through these perilous waters, the Indian Navy’s actions serve as a testament to India’s resolve to combat piracy and uphold international maritime laws.
In February too, the Indian Navy undertook airborne insertion of Special Forces by paradropping inflatable crafts and MARCOs from C-130 aircraft in the Arabian Sea for continued anti-piracy operations in the region. Before that, in January, the Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra had thwarted the piracy attempt on an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, Al Naeemi sailing off the East Coast of Somalia and successfully rescued 19 Pakistani nationals.
(With inputs from ANI, and PTI)
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Published: 16 Mar 2024, 07:35 PM IST