Indian Navy Coerces 35 Pirates To Surrender, Rescues 17 Crew Members, Here's All About The Operation

Indian Navy's INS Kolkata successfully cornered and coerced all 35 Pirates to surrender and ensured the safe evacuation of 17 crew members on the evening of 16 March from the pirate vessel without any injury.

This happened through concerted actions in 40 hours, where INS Kolkata carried out the interception of the Pirate Ship Ruen almost 1,400 nm (2,600 km) from the Indian Coast.

The pirate ship was forced to stop through calibrated actions which were augmented by INS Subhadra, HALE RPA, P8I maritime patrol aircraft and MARCOS PRAHARs air-dropped by C-17 aircraft.

The Navy informed about the vessel being sanitised for the presence of illegal arms, ammunition and contraband.

This comes a day after the Navy thwarted an attempt by the Somali pirates to utilise a hijacked ship for acts of piracy.

The ship, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on 14 December, 2023, was intercepted by an Indian Navy warship on 15 March.

The Maltese-flagged bulk cargo vessel ex-MV Ruen was intercepted by a  warship, and action was taken in accordance with international law.

During the interception, the Ruen reportedly opened fire on the Indian Navy warship, prompting a response from naval officials.