The Indian Army swiftly responded on 15th December 2023 after a Mayday message (an internationally recognized distress signal) was received from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal the previous day. Around six pirates had boarded the Malta Flagged Vessel MV Ruen, that has 18 crew members aboard.

According to the Ministry of Defence, “Indian Navy diverted its Naval Maritime Patrol aircraft undertaking surveillance in the area and its warship on Anti-Piracy patrol in the Gulf Aden to locate & assist MV Ruen. The aircraft overflew the hijacked vessel on early morning of 15 Dec 23 and IN aircraft have been continuously monitoring movement of the vessel, which is now heading towards the coast of Somalia.”

A warship of the Indian Navy, mission deployed in Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy patrol, has also intercepted MV Ruen at early hours of Saturday, it further informed. The Ministry added that the overall situation is being closely monitored