Indian Navy Captures 35 Somali Pirates in High-Stakes Operation, Transfers Them to Mumbai Police
Mumbai, 23rd March 2024: The Indian Navy recently apprehended 35 Somali pirates, who were handed over to Mumbai Police on Saturday after completing the necessary customs and immigration procedures.
In a recent anti-piracy operation, the Indian Navy successfully rescued 17 crew members of the MV Ruen and detained 35 Somali pirates. This operation, spanning two days, involved multiple assets including a navy destroyer, a patrol ship, an Indian Air Force C-17 transporter deploying marine commandos, naval and reconnaissance drones, and a P-8 surveillance jet.
Last December, Somali pirates hijacked the Bulgarian ship MV Ruen. When the vessel attempted piracy again last week outside Somali waters, the Indian Navy intervened. INS Kolkata was directed to intercept the pirate ship Ruen.
On 15th March, INS Kolkata intercepted Ruen, disabling its steering system and navigational aids, compelling it to halt. The pirates surrendered, releasing MV Ruen and its original crew.
All 17 original crew members of MV Ruen were safely evacuated from the pirate vessel on 16th March without any injuries, alongside the surrender of the 35 Somali pirates on the same day.
The pirates were handed over to Mumbai Police on Saturday after being taken from the Naval Dockyard to JJ Hospital for medical examination.
Bulgarian leaders, including President Rumen Radev, expressed gratitude to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the operation. President Radev commended PM Modi for the Indian Navy’s courageous action in rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship Ruen and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian citizens.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel also thanked the Indian Navy for successfully rescuing seven Bulgarian nationals in the Arabian Sea. In response, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the importance of friendship in such endeavours.
