The Indian Navy apprehended at least 35 Somali pirates off the coast of Somalia, who were subsequently transported to Mumbai aboard the warship INS Kolkata, as announced by officials on Saturday.
Upon arrival, the captured individuals were handed over to the Mumbai police for further legal proceedings.
The pirates were arrested during a meticulously planned interception of the hijacked Malta-flagged cargo ship MV Ruen, which had been repurposed by the pirates as a mother ship for launching further attacks.
According to the Indian Navy, the pirates engaged the warship with gunfire, triggering a response from the navy. After a tense 40-hour standoff, the threat was neutralized, ensuring the successful capture of the pirates.
The operation, which commenced on March 15, was executed by INS Kolkata, guided by intelligence from the UK Maritime Trade Operations and the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre. With precise coordination, the pirate vessel formerly known as MV Ruen was tracked and intercepted, leading to the apprehension of the pirates.
This mission is part of Operation Sankalp, undertaken by Indian naval forces since December, as a strategic measure to bolster maritime security. The deployment aims to counter threats posed by pirates and Houthi militants who have been disrupting shipping routes in the Red Sea.
The surge in piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia has prompted the international community, including regional governments and the UN’s International Maritime Organization, to emphasize the urgent need for enhanced maritime security measures.
The goal is to deter further attacks and safeguard the safety and security of maritime trade.
While the regional government of Puntland initially expressed interest in prosecuting the captured pirates locally, it appears unlikely as the Somali suspects have already been transported to India for prosecution. The captured pirates now face legal proceedings under India’s 2022 Maritime Anti-Piracy Act.
