The Indian
Navy has deployed a second frontline ship in the Gulf of Aden to augment its
anti-piracy mission, following the hijacking of a Malta-flagged cargo vessel by
pirates. The Navy now has stealth
guided-missile destroyer INS Kochi and INS Kolkata in the region, officials
said.
The Navy
swiftly responded after receiving a call for help from MV Ruen, the
Malta-flagged hijacked vessel, on December 14.
Days later, it evacuated one of the 18 crew
members onboard the vessel off the coast of Somalia to provide medical care
after he was injured by the pirates.
"In a
swift response, Indian Navy's maritime patrol aircraft deployed to investigate
the incident arrived overhead MV Ruen on December 15 and established
communication with the crew," a Navy spokesperson said.
"All 18
crew (no Indians onboard) were reported to be safe in the citadel.
Concurrently, in response to the incident, INS Kochi on anti-piracy patrol in
the Gulf of Aden was also diverted immediately to render assistance," he
said.
The official
said INS Kochi intercepted MV Ruen in the early hours of December 16 and
launched its integral helicopter to assess the situation.