Based on inputs of a potential piracy incident onboard Al-Kambar 786 late on March 28, 2024, two Indian Naval ships deployed in Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel, the Indian navy said. Photo: X/@indiannavy

Indian Naval Ships Sumedha and Trishul intercepted and freed hijacked Iranian Fishing Vessel Al-Kambar off Somalia after forcing the pirates to surrender over the course of 12 hours and safely rescued the crew consisting of 23 Pakistani nationals.

“After more than 12 hours of intense coercive tactical measures as per the Standard Operating Procedures, the pirates on board hijacked FV were forced to surrender. The crew, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, have been safely rescued,” a Navy spokesperson said in an update on March 29 midnight. “Indian Naval specialist teams are presently undertaking thorough sanitisation and seaworthiness checks of the FV in order to escort her to a safe area for resuming normal fishing activities.”

Al-Kambar was approximately 90 Nm South West of Socotra when it was reported to have been boarded by nine armed pirates, according to the Indian Navy. The spokesperson said that based on the inputs on a potential piracy incident on March 28, two Indian Naval ships, deployed in Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted. INS Sumedha intercepted Al-Kambar during the early hours of March 29 and was joined subsequently by guided missile frigate INS Trishul.

This is the latest in a series of incidents of piracy in the Arabian Sea and off Somalia in the last few months which have resurfaced since the beginning of attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi rebels.

As reported by The Hindu earlier this week, the pirate mother vessel that was used to hijack Malta-flagged merchant vessel MV Ruen on December 14 was itself an Iranian fishing vessel. Al-Ashkaan with 24 Pakistani crew members was hijacked by seven Somali pirates earlier on November 29 near Socotra Island off Yemen. Al Ashkaan was taken to Somalia and later used to hijack Ruen after which Al Ashkaan was set free.

Ruen was converted into a mother vessel and attempted further acts of piracy which were thwarted by the Indian Navy earlier this month after a 40-hour operation which resulted in the surrender of 35 pirates and freeing of 17 original crew members of MV Ruen.

Currently, another vessel remains in captivity of Somali pirates — Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel Al Abdullah that was hijacked around March 12 while it was en route from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. The vessel with an all-Bangladeshi crew has been taken to Somalia.

Based on inputs of a potential piracy incident onboard Al-Kambar 786 late on March 28, 2024, two Indian Naval ships deployed in Arabian Sea for maritime security operations were diverted to intercept the hijacked fishing vessel, the Indian navy said. Photo: X/@indiannavy

Indian Naval ships Sumedha and Trishul intercepted and freed a hijacked Iranian fishing vessel (FV), Al-Kambar, off Somalia after forcing the pirates to surrender, the Navy said late on March 29.

“After more than 12 hours of intense coercive tactical measures as per the Standard Operating Procedures, the pirates on board hijacked FV were forced to surrender. The crew, comprising 23 Pakistani nationals, have been safely rescued,” a Navy spokesperson said. “Indian Naval specialist teams are presently undertaking thorough sanitisation and seaworthiness checks of the FV in order to escort her to a safe area for resuming normal fishing activities.”

Al-Kambar was approximately 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra when it was reportedly boarded by nine armed pirates, according to the Indian Navy. The spokesperson said that based on the inputs of a potential piracy incident on March 28, two Indian Naval ships deployed in Arabian Sea for maritime security operations, were diverted. INS Sumedha intercepted Al-Kambar during the early hours of March 29 and was joined subsequently by guided missile frigate INS Trishul.

This is the latest in a series of incidents of piracy in the Arabian Sea and off Somalia in the last few months which have resurfaced since the beginning of attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi rebels.

As reported by The Hindu earlier this week, the pirate mother vessel that was used to hijack Malta-flagged merchant vessel MV Ruen on December 14 was itself an Iranian fishing vessel. Al-Ashkaan with 24 Pakistani crew members was hijacked by seven Somali pirates earlier on November 29 near Socotra Island off Yemen. Al Ashkaan was taken to Somalia and later used to hijack Ruen after which Al Ashkaan was set free.

Ruen was converted into a mother vessel and attempted further acts of piracy which were thwarted by the Indian Navy earlier this month after a 40-hour operation which resulted in the surrender of 35 pirates and freeing of 17 original crew members of MV Ruen.

Currently, another vessel remains in captivity of Somali pirates — Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel Al Abdullah that was hijacked around March 12 while it was en route from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. The vessel with an all-Bangladeshi crew has been taken to Somalia.

New Delhi:

In a daring 40-hour operation, the Indian Navy on Saturday coerced 35 Somali pirates to surrender and rescued 17 crew members held hostage on a hijacked ship, the Navy said in a statement.

Indian warship INS Kolkata sailed over 2,600 km and cornered the bulk cargo vessel Ruen which was being used as a pirate ship for three months after it was hijacked on December 14.

The high stakes rescue involved multiple Navy vessels, drones, aircrafts and marine commandos.

As an Indian aircraft approached the hijacked ship, the pirates opened fire at it. In a video shared by the Navy, a pirate is seen walking onto the deck of the ship and aim his gun at the aircraft hovering over the vessel and fire twice.

#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 pirates also attacked a Navy vessel as it intercepted the hijacked vessel.

After being attacked on Friday, Navy switched its stance to self-defence and demanded the pirates surrender and release the hostages.

On Saturday, the Navy successfully took control of the ship with support from patrol vessel INS Subhadra, High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE RPA) drones and P8I maritime patrol aircraft.

A squad of 8 marine commandos (MARCOS PRAHARs) were then airdropped by a C-17 aircraft onto the vessel to detain the pirates and safely evacuate the crew.

No injuries were sustained during the operation, the Navy said, adding that the ship had been checked for illegal arms, ammunition and contraband.

“#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 seas. The #IndianNavy remains committed to #maritimesecurity & safety of seafarers in the region,” the Navy said in a statement.