The Indian Navy has freed the Iranian fishing vessel Azini from armed pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia, rescuing 20 crew members in an operation that lasted more than 48 hours. India’s Ministry of Defence said the rescued crew were safe and that no casualties or injuries were reported among them.
How the operation unfolded
The vessel was reported hijacked by an armed pirate group off Somalia earlier in the month. The Navy deployed a mission-ready warship, supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft, to locate and monitor the vessel. The platforms tracked its movements and used calibrated non-kinetic measures to contain it and prevent its escape.
Marine Commandos were reinforced through a precision airdrop by an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft. The Navy then carried out a tactical intervention, secured the vessel and overcame the pirate threat, enabling the release of all 20 crew members, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Why the hijacking raised concern
The Navy said the hijacked vessel could potentially have been used as a “mother ship” to support further pirate attacks against merchant shipping. Such vessels can serve as mobile bases from which pirates operate farther from the coast, creating risks for commercial ships and seafarers.
The waters off Somalia and the wider western Indian Ocean form an important corridor for international trade. Renewed hijackings in the region have drawn attention to the continuing need for maritime surveillance, cooperation and protection for crews at sea.
A coordinated Navy–Air Force response
The operation brought together a naval warship, aerial reconnaissance and Marine Commandos, with additional personnel deployed by the Air Force’s C-17 aircraft. The Ministry described the mission as an example of inter-service coordination and the Navy’s ability to respond to complex maritime security threats.
What is known about the people rescued
The Indian government’s statement confirms the safe release of 20 crew members and reports no casualties or injuries among them. The Associated Press noted that an earlier account from a Puntland official had referred to a different number of people aboard, including Somali security guards. The discrepancy in the initial headcount has not been fully explained in the available reporting.
The rescue brings the hijacking of the Azini to an end and underscores the risks faced by seafarers in waters where piracy remains a concern.
Sources
- Ministry of Defence – Indian Navy successfully rescues hijacked fishing vessel Azini off the coast of Somalia
- Associated Press – Indian navy rescues 20 crew from Iranian fishing boat hijacked off Somalia
- The Indian Express – Indian Navy commandos airdrop to rescue crew from hijacked vessel off Somali coast
