“Indian Navy intercepts Somali pirates.”
On Saturday, the Indian Navy achieved a significant success by thwarting Somali pirates’ attempts to exploit the ex-MV Ruen vessel for acts of piracy on the high seas, as confirmed by Indian Navy officials. The MV Ruen, which had fallen into the hands of Somali pirates on December 14, 2023, was intercepted by a Navy warship on March 15.
During the interception operation, the MV Ruen reportedly engaged in hostile actions, opening fire on the Indian Navy warship. In response to this threat, naval officials swiftly reacted in accordance with international maritime law. Their actions aimed to neutralize the piracy threat posed by the hijacked vessel, employing minimal force necessary to ensure the safety of shipping lanes and seafarers.Somali pirates
The Indian Navy’s proactive stance in tackling piracy was evident even before the interception. An officer had previously disclosed that the Indian guided-missile destroyer INS Kochi had been vigilantly monitoring the MV Ruen, underscoring the Navy’s preparedness for any potential contingency in the region.
#IndianNavy thwarts designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen.
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… pic.twitter.com/gOtQJvNpZb
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 16, 2024
The urgency of the situation became apparent when the MV Ruen, with 18 crew members aboard, issued a distress call on the UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) portal. The call alerted authorities that the vessel had been boarded by ‘around six unknown persons’, indicating a grave security threat.
It’s worth noting that the MV Ruen was operated by the Bulgarian company Navigation Maritime Bulgare. Despite concerted efforts from several international navies to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, this hijacking marked the first incident of its kind in the region in the past five to six years.
The successful interception and neutralization of the piracy threat by the Indian Navy underscored their commitment to safeguarding maritime security and upholding international law on the high seas. This operation serves as a testament to the Navy’s preparedness and capability in addressing maritime threats effectively.
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Neeraj Tiwari 
Ashish Bajpai