New Delhi:

The Indian Navy has conducted 18 rescue operations in the Arabian Sea since mid-December as part of Operation Sankalp, which was launched in June 2019 after an attack on a merchant ship in the Gulf of Oman.

Since December 2023, the navy has been responding to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the maritime domain, especially in the Red Sea corridor – one of the world’s busiest cargo and oil transit points.

The statement stated that between December 2023 and March 2024, the Navy responded to at least 18 incidents and played a key role as the “first responder” and “preferred security partner” in the Indian Ocean region. During this period, the navy has provided assistance to several countries as drone and missile attacks have heightened the threat of pirate attacks on this key trade route.

How the Navy protects pirate mother ships

On December 14, 2023, pirates hijacked a Maltese cargo ship with the call sign Ruen. The crew of the ship sent out a distress call and the Navy immediately began tracking the six pirates after learning that they had illegally boarded the ship in the Arabian Sea. ocean.

It deployed a warship in the Gulf of Aden on anti-piracy patrols to locate and assist seized vehicles.

#IndianNavy Responded to the manifestations of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the maritime domain by repositioning and significantly expanding its ongoing scope #maritimesecurityaction Since mid-December 23, the Navy has taken proactive actions in the Malta hijacking incident… pic.twitter.com/r5dNiW6PN4

— Spokesperson Navy (@indiannavy) March 23, 2024

News quickly emerged that one of the ship’s crew members had been injured. The Navy launched a rescue operation and within four days the injured sailor was evacuated from the ship. He was subsequently flown to Oman for treatment.

However, the pirates took control of the Loon and sailed it towards the coast of Somalia.

Since then, at least a dozen warships have been deployed in the Gulf of Aden and the northern Arabian Sea to assist ships east of the Red Sea, as the navies of many countries, including the United States, are trying to ensure the security of shipping lanes for the Houthi armed forces in Yemen. Rebels.

The Navy has conducted “continuous surveillance activities” in the area since the hijacking, using air platforms and other vessels to gather information and monitor the area.

A few days and three months later, on March 14, news came from British maritime security company Ambrey that the MV Ruen had been discovered off the coast of Somalia.

Pirates convert bulk carriers into mother ships to attack other ships. On March 15, the Indian Navy changed its course and intercepted the INS Kolkata. INS Kolkata traveled over 2,600 km and cornered the ship the next morning.

Forty hours later, the navy forced 35 Somali pirates to surrender and rescued 17 crew members who were held hostage on the hijacked ship.

The high-risk operation involved multiple naval ships, drones, aircraft and naval commandos.

INS Subhadra patrol ship, High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE RPA) drones and P8I maritime patrol aircraft have joined forces to help INS Kolkata control the pirate mothership.

A team of 8 Marine Raiders (MARCOS PRAHAR) were airdropped onto the ship from a C-17 aircraft to detain the pirates and safely evacuate the crew. No injuries were reported during the daring operation.

Navy rescues Pakistani nationals

Days after Operation INS Kolkata, the Navy rescued 23 Pakistani nationals from a hijacked Iranian fishing vessel ‘Al-Kambar 786’.

INS Sumedha intercepted the fishing vessel in the early hours of March 29 and was later joined by the guided missile frigate INS Trishul.

#IndianNavy Responding to piracy attacks #ArabianSea.

Information received regarding a potential piracy incident on board the Iranian fishing vessel “Al-Kambar” #28Mar 24, located approximately 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra.
Two Indian Navy ships are deployed in #ArabianSea for… pic.twitter.com/PdEZiCAu3t

— Spokesperson Navy (@indiannavy) March 29, 2024

The ship sent a distress call on March 28 about 90 nautical miles southwest of Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean, when nine armed pirates were reported to have boarded the ship.

Anti-piracy operation a complete success #IndianNavy.
After successfully forcing the surrender of nine armed pirates, #IndianNavyA team of experts has completed hygiene and airworthiness inspections of FV Al-Kambar.
The crew of 23 Pakistani nationals underwent a thorough… https://t.co/APEyIWmU9epic.twitter.com/c6TbfL4Jrc

— Spokesperson Navy (@indiannavy) March 30, 2024

After more than 12 hours of “intense coercive tactical measures,” the navy forced the pirates aboard the hijacked FV to surrender. The crew, including 23 Pakistani nationals, were safely rescued. “

Within 100 days from December 14, 2023, the Navy saved 110 lives, including 45 Indians. Since November, there have been more than 90 maritime incidents, including 57 drone or missile attacks or sightings, and 39 incidents of piracy, hijacking and suspicious approaches. last year and March.