In New Delhi, the Indian Naval forces have successfully thwarted efforts by a band of Somali buccaneers to commandeer vessels traversing the treacherous waters off the eastern shores of Somalia by intercepting their craft, as relayed by officials on Saturday. The marauding pirates, armed and dangerous, had set sail aboard the Ruen, a merchant ship seized approximately three months prior, according to reports.
“The former MV Ruen, hijacked by Somali marauders on the 14th of December, purportedly set sail as a pirate vessel with intentions of engaging in acts of piracy on the high seas,” declared the Navy. Their endeavors, however, were promptly halted when an Indian Naval warship intercepted their trajectory on the 15th of March, it was reported.
Upon confrontation, the pirates initiated gunfire towards the Indian warship, prompting the latter to retaliate in adherence to international statutes, employing minimal force to subdue the imminent threat posed by the pirates to maritime transit and sailors alike. “The marauders aboard the vessel have been implored to capitulate and release the vessel along with any individuals they may be unlawfully detaining,” emphasized the Navy in a communiqué.
“The Indian Navy remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold maritime security and ensure the welfare of seafarers within the region,” the statement underscored. Just a day prior, the Navy disclosed its provision of aid to a Bangladeshi-flagged merchant vessel subsequent to a hijacking incident.
Assuring the safety of the crew held captive by the armed pirates, the Indian Naval vessel continued its vigil in close proximity to the seized vessel until its entry into Somali territorial waters. In recent weeks, the Indian Navy has extended support to numerous commercial vessels navigating the Western Indian Ocean in the wake of hostile encounters.
Earlier this month, the Indian Naval forces thwarted an attempted act of piracy on an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel, harboring eleven Iranian and eight Pakistani nationals, along the eastern coast of Somalia. January witnessed the rescue operation conducted by Indian warship INS Sumitra, which rescued nineteen Pakistani crew members from an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel besieged by pirates in the region.
On January 5th, the Navy foiled an attempted hijacking of the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea, successfully rescuing all crew members. Furthermore, the Liberian-flagged MV Chem Pluto, manned by twenty-one Indian crew members, fell victim to a drone attack off the western coast of India on December 23rd.
In light of the heightened maritime risks, particularly along critical sea lanes in the North and Central Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has bolstered the deployment of its frontline vessels and reconnaissance aircraft for security operations. Growing apprehensions have been voiced globally concerning the recurring assaults by Houthi insurgents on cargo vessels in the Red Sea over the past months.