Indian Navy Hands Over 35 Somali Pirates To Mumbai Police

New Delhi: Indian Navy hands over 35 Somali pirates to Mumbai Police. After successfully concluding an anti-piracy operation, the pirates were transferred to Mumbai Police custody. Visuals from Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, depict the pirates being assigned chest numbers by the police before undergoing medical examination at JJ Hospital. 

2-Day Operation 

The operation, which lasted nearly two days, rescued 17 crew members of the vessel MV Ruen without any casualties. The operation involved a navy destroyer, a patrol ship, an Indian Air Force C-17 transporter for airdropping marine commandos, naval and reconnaissance drones, and a P-8 surveillance jet. 

The capture of the MV Ruen marked the first successful hijacking by Somali pirates off the country's coast since 2017. Intercepting the pirate ship Ruen approximately 260 Nm East of Somalia, INS Kolkata disabled its steering system and navigational aids, compelling it to stop. 

Through forceful negotiations, INS Kolkata facilitated the surrender of all 35 Somali pirates on March 16, ensuring the safe release of the original crew members of MV Ruen. Bulgarian leaders, including President Rumen Radev and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel, expressed gratitude to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the operation, emphasizing the rescue of seven Bulgarian citizens. 

Global Appreciation 

Bulgarian leaders, including President Rumen Radev, thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the operation.

"My sincere gratitude to (PM Modi) for the brave action of (the) Navy rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship 'Ruen' and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian citizens," Radev said in a post on X.

My sincere gratitude to PM @narendramodi for the brave action of __Navy rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship "Ruen" and its crew, including 7 Bulgarian citizens.

— President.bg (@PresidentOfBg) March 18, 2024

Bulgarian Foreign Minister, Mariya Gabriel also thanked the Indian Navy for rescuing seven Bulgarian nationals in a successful anti-piracy operation in the Arabian Sea. Replying to this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that it is exactly what friends are for.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "That's what friends are for," alongside Gabriel's post.
The culmination of the ongoing Anti-Piracy operation involving pirate ship Ruen in the Southern Indian Ocean Region highlights the commitment of the Indian Navy towards reinforcing peace and stability, and also to thwart the resurgence of Piracy in the region.