The Indian Navy has captured 35 pirates off Somalia and rescued 17 hostages in a 40-hour long operation.
Regarding this operation, experts say that this is the first successful operation to rescue a ship from Somalia’s pirates in the last seven years.
Pirates had hijacked the ship three months ago. The President of Bulgaria has become convinced of the bravery of the Indian Navy.
Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev has thanked PM Modi and the Indian Navy on social media for saving the lives of seven of its citizens from a hijacked ship.
The Navy on Saturday seized the Malta-flagged merchant vessel (MV) Ruen, about 2,600 km east of the Indian coast, as part of the operation. The Navy deployed INS Kolkata and INS Subhadra and Sea Guardian drones during the nearly 40-hour operation.
Exclusive Marcos commandos were launched from C-17 aircraft for the operation. The Navy later reported that the MV Rouen was hijacked by Somali pirates on December 14.
In a statement, the Navy said the seaworthiness of MV Rouen is being assessed and the vessel is loaded with approximately 37,800 tonnes of cargo valued at around US$1 million. It will be brought safely to India.
Bulgaria admires the bravery of the Indian Navy
Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel expressed her gratitude to the Indian Navy for the successful operation to rescue the hijacked ship and the crew members, including seven citizens of her country.
Responding to Gabriel’s post, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on ‘X’, “That’s what friends are for.”
Now Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has reacted on this. He writes on social media, “I express my heartfelt gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for the brave action of the Navy in rescuing the hijacked Bulgarian ship “Rouen” and its crew including 7 Bulgarian nationals.”