The city of Mumbai witnessed the arrival of INS Kolkata, a formidable warship, bearing 35 individuals suspected of piracy, who were captured during a mission off the shores of Somalia, announced the Navy on Saturday morning.
Subsequently, these suspected pirates were transferred to the custody of the Mumbai police force, as disclosed by the Navy. This operation was executed as part of the ongoing endeavor known as Operation Sankalp, in which Indian Naval vessels are deployed within the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden to safeguard mariners and commercial trade routes traversing the area.
“INS Kolkata, accompanied by the 35 detained individuals believed to be involved in piracy, returned to Mumbai on March 23, relinquishing custody of said individuals to the local law enforcement authorities for further legal proceedings as per Indian statutes, particularly the Maritime Anti Piracy Act of 2022,” stated the Navy.
In a mission spanning more than 40 hours, commencing in the early hours of March 15, INS Kolkata intercepted the Pirate Ship ex-MV Ruen within the waters of the Arabian Sea, based on intelligence received from the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region, in coordination with UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations).
The vessel was purportedly being utilized as a Mother Ship to facilitate acts of piracy and the hijacking of merchant vessels, as detailed by naval sources. INS Kolkata initiated surveillance of the Pirate Ship early on March 15. Upon sighting INS Kolkata, the vessel altered its course, heading towards the coast of Somalia. Numerous armed individuals were sighted on the upper deck of the ship, according to Navy reports.
Despite directives from INS Kolkata to halt for inspection, in compliance with international maritime laws, particularly the United Nations Conventions on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS), the pirate vessel refused to comply, opting instead to engage in hostile actions. “Subsequently, INS Kolkata employed defensive measures, utilizing kinetic force necessary to incapacitate the vessel and compel the suspected pirates to surrender,” the statement read.
INS Subhadra joined INS Kolkata in the operation. Furthermore, the Indian Navy executed long-range deployment maneuvers, deploying Marine Commandos via paradrop over the sea in the vicinity of the pirate vessel, utilizing C17 aircraft in collaboration with the Indian Air Force.
Aerial surveillance for the operation was conducted by Indian Navy P8I aircraft, Sea Guardian UAVs, and the ship’s integral helicopters and reconnaissance drones. “Faced with resolute action by the Indian Navy, all individuals suspected of piracy aboard the vessel surrendered. The 35 suspected pirates and 17 crew members were promptly apprehended and transferred to Indian Naval vessels,” the statement confirmed.
The Indian Navy conducted a comprehensive search and sweep of the vessel, ensuring the removal of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances, thus rendering it secure. Additionally, a thorough assessment of the vessel’s seaworthiness and essential repairs were conducted by naval technical experts, to ensure its suitability for subsequent voyages.
