By Ahmad Adil
NEW DELHI (AA) — Indian forces have seized a vessel hijacked by pirates in December, rescuing 17 crew members, according to the country's Navy.
“INS Kolkata, in the last 40 hours, through concerted actions successfully cornered and coerced all 35 Pirates to surrender and ensured safe evacuation of 17 crew members in the evening today ... from the pirate vessel without any injury,” the Indian Navy said on X late on Saturday.
The Navy had earlier announced that the vessel, the MV Ruen, had been hijacked by Somali pirates and used to conduct acts of piracy on high seas.
It was intercepted by the Indian Navy ship on Friday.
According to the Navy, after the Ruen was intercepted almost 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 kilometers) from the Indian coast, naval forces brought it to a halt in efforts aided by the Subhadra patrol vessel, with marine commandos airdropped on board by a C-17 military transport aircraft.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the Navy “continues to ensure the safety and security of the Mariners in the Indian Ocean Region.”