NEW DELHI: In a daring operation, the Indian stealth destroyer INS Kochi successfully transferred an injured sailor from the hijacked merchant vessel Ruen to provide crucial medical assistance. The sailor, a Bulgarian national, is now en route to a shore-based medical facility for further evaluation.
“The pirates allowed the sailor to be evacuated from Ruen after he was injured. He needed urgent medical attention. He is being taken to a shore-based hospital,” revealed an anonymous official. Details surrounding the nature of the sailor’s injuries remain undisclosed.
The Maltese-flagged merchant vessel Ruen fell victim to unknown attackers in the Arabian Sea on December 14. The Indian Navy swiftly responded, with INS Kochi, equipped with marine commandos, tailing the vessel since its seizure.
The EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta, the EU maritime security operation in the western Indian Ocean, also joined the anti-piracy effort. Ruen had sent a distress call to the UK Maritime Trade Operations on December 14, indicating a loss of control over the vessel.
The incident marks a resurgence of piracy in the Arabian Sea, bringing attention back to a threat that had significantly declined between 2008 and 2013. The Indian Navy’s continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden for over 15 years underscores its commitment to ensuring safe passage for Indian-flagged vessels.
In related news, naval chiefs from various countries gathered in Thailand for the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), focusing on maritime cooperation, security challenges, and the resurgence of piracy in the region. Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar is participating in discussions to strengthen the security architecture of the Indian Ocean.
The 8th edition of IONS centers on the theme “Blue Economy: Ways Forward for Sustainable Development of IONS Member States.” This voluntary initiative, conceptualized by the Indian Navy, aims to enhance maritime cooperation among littoral states of the Indian Ocean region.
As the situation in the region evolves, the conclave will explore strategies to address challenges, including recent Houthi militia attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the growing concern over piracy.
