Indian Navy Intercepts Somali Pirates’ Vessel to Foil Their Attempt to Hijack Ship

The Indian Navy intercepted a vessel of Somali pirates and foiled their attempts to hijack ships in the high seas off the east coast of Somalia.

According to official sources, the armed Somali pirates had sailed out on board a cargo ship named Ruen, which they had hijacked in December 2023.

“The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on 14 December, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of piracy on high seas,” the Navy said.

The vessel was intercepted by an Indian Navy warship on March 15, it said.

#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 Navy said the pirates opened fire on the Indian warship, which took appropriate actions in self-defence as per international law and to counter piracy and used minimal force to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers.

“The pirates onboard the vessel have been called upon to surrender and release the vessel and any civilians they may be holding against their will,” the Navy said in a statement.

“The Indian Navy remains committed to maritime security and safety of seafarers in the region,” it added.

On Friday, the Navy said an Indian warship and a long-range maritime patrol aircraft extended assistance to a Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel after it was hijacked.