Ships, drones, commandos: How the Indian Navy rescued a hijacked ship

After Friday’s attack, the navy shifted its stance to self-defense.

New Delhi:

After a brave 40-hour operation, the Indian Navy on Saturday forced the surrender of 35 Somali pirates and rescued 17 crew members of a hijacked ship who were held hostage, the Navy said in a statement.

The Indian warship “Calcutta” sailed more than 2,600 kilometers and besieged the bulk carrier “Loon” that was hijacked on December 14 for three months.

The high-stakes rescue involved multiple naval ships, drones, aircraft and naval commandos.

The pirates opened fire on an Indian aircraft as it approached the hijacked ship. In a video shared by the Navy, a pirate walks onto the deck of the ship, aims his gun at the aircraft hovering over the ship, and fires twice.

#IndianNavy By intercepting the former MV Ruen, a plot by Somali pirates to hijack ships passing through the area was foiled.

The former MV Ruen was hijacked by Somali pirates on December 17, 2019. #14December According to reports, on the 23rd, he went to sea as a pirate ship and carried out the following activities: #piracy high up… pic.twitter.com/gOtQJvNpZb

— Spokesperson Navy (@indiannavy) March 16, 2024

The pirates also attacked a naval vessel that was intercepting the hijacked ship.

After Friday’s attack, the navy shifted its position to self-defense and demanded that the pirates surrender and release the hostages.

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

Subsequently, 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 one was injured during the operation, the Navy said, adding that the ship was inspected for illegal weapons, ammunition and contraband.

“#IndianNavy stopped Somali pirates from hijacking ships passing through the area by intercepting the ex-MV Ruen. The ex-MV Ruen was hijacked by Somali pirates on December 23 and reportedly sailed out as a pirate ship” #IndianNavy remains committed to #maritimesecurity and the safety of sailors in the area,” the Navy said in a statement.