Indian navy intercepts Somali pirates on cargo ship Ruen
Saturday March 16 2024
People with weapons stand onboard the Maltese-flagged bulk cargo vessel Ruen seized by Somali pirates, which was intercepted by the Indian Navy at sea on March 16, 2024. PHOTO | REUTERS
An Indian navy warship has intercepted the hijacked the cargo ship Ruen and demanded the Somali pirates on board surrender, a navy spokesperson said on Saturday.
The pirates who allegedly hijacked the Maltese-flagged bulk cargo vessel on December 14 opened fire on the navy ship in international waters on Friday, the spokesperson said without providing further details.
The navy had called on the pirates to surrender and release the vessel and any civilians they may be holding.
Somali pirates who seized the vessel in December may have used it in the takeover of a Bangladesh-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Somalia this week, the European Union naval force said on Thursday.
Read: Illegal ship boarding reported off Somalia
Until the Ruen was seized, there head been no successful hijacking of a merchant ship by Somali pirates since 2017.
At least 17 incidents of hijacking, attempted hijacking or suspicious approaches have been recorded by the Indian navy since December, Indian officials have said.
India deployed at least a dozen warships east of the Red Sea in January to provide security against pirates and has investigated more than 250 vessels.