Indian Navy rescues the hijacked merchant ship ‘MV Ruen’ : 35 pirates surrender

Indian Navy rescues pirates ‘MV Raun’

New Delhi – The Indian Navy has rescued the ship ‘MV Ruen’ which was hijacked by pirates three months ago. In a daring operation, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted an attempt by Somali pirates to use the hijacked merchant vessel as a ‘mother ship’ for launching attacks on other ships. The operation conducted by guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata and marine commandos, resulted in the apprehension, and surrender of 35 pirates and the safe evacuation of 17 crew members of the hijacked vessel, Malta-flagged bulk carrier MV Ruen. “INS Kolkata had carried out the interception of the pirate ship Ruen almost 1,400 nm (2,600 km) from the Indian Coast and forced the pirate ship 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,” an Indian Navy statement read.

Before taking action, the navy had asked the pirates to surrender. The pirates were warned of action against them if they did not surrender. The Indian Navy had contacted this ship only on 16 ^th March. Somali pirates had fired at the navy at that time.