The Indian Navy said it has rescued the MV Ruen and its 17 crew members who have been held captive by pirates off the coast of Somalia for three months.
All 35 pirates on board have also been apprehended.
The operation took place after the Indian Navy’s destroyer, INS Kolkata, intercepted the vessel on Friday in the Indian Ocean.
The pirates reportedly opened fire on an Indian Navy helicopter and a standoff ensued. With the INS Subhadra providing assistance, a specialised Navy unit was able to corner the pirates, leading to their surrender.
“#INSKolkata, in the last 40 hours, through concerted actions successfully cornered and coerced all 35 pirates to surrender & ensured safe evacuation of 17 crew members in the evening today #16Mar 24 from the pirate vessel without any injury,” the Indian Navy said on its X handle.
The Maltese-flagged ship was hijacked by pirates nearly 800 miles from Somalia on December 14, marking the first successful hijacking of a commercial ship by Somali pirates since 2017.
Pirates sailed the ship back to Somali waters where it was being held.
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