Indian Forces Heroically Rescue 17 Crew Members from Hijacked Merchant Vessel Near Somali Coast

The Indian government has publicly disclosed details of a daring operation undertaken by its armed forces to rescue 17 crew members from a merchant vessel hijacked near the Somali coast. The high-risk mission involved deploying a C-17 military transport aircraft, piloted by Wing Commander Akshay Saxena, who has been honored by the armed forces for his role in the operation.

Commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in June 2006, Wing Commander Saxena has been serving with the C-17 squadron since February 2021. In recognition of his "indomitable courage and exemplary valor," he was awarded the Gallantry Medal on the eve of Republic Day.

Operation Details

As part of India’s anti-piracy initiative Operation Sankalp, the daring rescue mission was executed on March 16, 2024, over the Arabian Sea. The target of the operation was MV Ruen, a Malta-flagged bulk carrier that had been hijacked by Somali pirates in December 2023. In a covert operation in March 2024, the Indian Navy successfully reclaimed the vessel, rescuing all crew members and capturing the pirates.

The increasing threat posed by Somali pirates had extended beyond hijacking merchant vessels. On March 15, 2024, they had fired upon INS Kolkata and even shot down a naval reconnaissance drone. In response, the Indian forces launched a meticulously planned counter-operation.

To regain control of MV Ruen, Wing Commander Saxena led an airborne insertion of two Combat Rubberized Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats along with an 18-member MARCOS (Marine Commandos) unit, fully equipped for combat. Recognizing the urgency and classified nature of the mission, he swiftly assembled the required personnel and ensured the aircraft was ready for deployment within record time.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defence on January 25, the mission required the aircraft to fly undetected for nearly four hours over another nation's airspace without authorization. The team also had to navigate severe threats from the armed pirates during the course of the operation.

Wing Commander Saxena, as the captain of the C-17 aircraft, maintained an exceptionally low-altitude flight profile to evade detection. Additionally, to maximize operational security, he opted to conduct the airdrop under low-light conditions.

A Last-Minute Twist

In a dramatic turn of events, just 50 nautical miles from the designated drop zone, the landing site was unexpectedly changed. Despite this sudden alteration, Wing Commander Saxena executed a flawless airdrop operation, ensuring that the commandos successfully reached their target. As a result, the pirates were neutralized, and all 17 crew members of MV Ruen were safely rescued.

The Ministry of Defence lauded the officer for his extraordinary courage, dynamic leadership, and unwavering professionalism in executing this complex mission with absolute precision. This daring operation stands as yet another feather in the cap of India’s elite MARCOS unit, reinforcing the nation's naval prowess and commitment to global maritime security.