The rescue saw marine commandos being para-dropped from a C-17 aircraft and exchanges of gunfire to rescue the hijacked merchant vessel MV Ruen and its 17-member crew in the major operation on the high seas.
The pirates, who had commandeered MV Ruen for use as a “mother pirate ship” to launch attacks on other commercial ships in the region, even shot down a small spotter drone flown from destroyer INS Kolkata during the operation.
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“There is now also the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, which was notified last year, to prosecute such cases. The usual practice is to set apprehended pirates adrift on their skiffs after disarming them to ensure they do not pose a threat to other vessels. But these 35 pirates opened fire on our warship. If they are let go, they will re-group and begin their piracy attacks again,” an officer had told TOI.
“In a reckless hostile act, the pirates shot down the ship-launched drone and fired at INS Kolkata. In a calibrated response as per international laws, INS Kolkata disabled the vessel’s steering system and navigational aids, forcing her to stop,” Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal had said.
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The C-17 aircraft, flying for almost 10 hours from the Indian mainland, also executed “a precision airborne drop” of the marine commandos and two combat rubberised raiding craft boats to augment the operation.
“INS Kolkata undertook precisely measured actions, while maintaining her position close to the vessel. She also engaged in forceful negotiations that led to the pirates’ surrender due to the sustained pressure,” he said.
(With AFP inputs)
