MV Sinar Kudus hijacking

MV Sinar Kudus hijacking
Part of Piracy in Somalia, Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa
The approximate location of MV Sinar Kudus hijacking in 2011
Date 16 March - 1 May 2011 Location 456 nmi (845 km) off the coast of Somalia Result Indonesian victory Pirate group defeated Hostages rescued
Belligerents
Indonesia Armed Forces Army Navy (Marine Corps)	Somali pirates
Commanders and leaders
Col Achmad Taufiqoerrochman(id)	unknown
Strength
900 personnel (including KOPASKA, Denjaka and Kopassus) 2 frigates : KRI Abdul Halim Perdana Kusuma and KRI Yos Sudarso 1 landing platform dock : KRI Banjarmasin	1 lifeboat at least 4 pirates
Casualties and losses
none	4 killed 20 hostages rescued

The MV Sinar Kudus hijacking was a maritime event that began on 16 March 2011 with four pirates in the Indian Ocean seizing the cargo ship MV Sinar Kudus 456 nautical miles (845 km; 525 mi) east of Somali coast. The siege ended after a rescue effort by the Indonesian Navy on 1 May 2011. It was the first pirate seizure of an Indonesian merchant ship off the Somali coast.

Background

On 16 March 2011, an Indonesian merchant ship, MV Sinar Kudus, was carrying nickel ore from South Sulawesi to Rotterdam when it was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Red Sea. After negotiations, the ship owner agreed to a ransom demand and restored the ship and crew to Indoensian authorities. It was then hijacked a second time by another group of pirates; after signalling "mayday" the ship's crew were supported by a group of KOPASKA and Kopassus from KRI Abdul Halim Perdanakusuma which secured the ship. A further group of KOPASKA and Kopassus were deployed using a Bo 105 helicopter to strafe the pirates, all of whom were killed.