Indian Navy rescues all 20 crew members of hijacked vessel Azini in 48-hour operation off Somalia

New Delhi: The Indian Navy successfully rescued all 20 crew members of the Iranian fishing vessel Azini on November 2, following a coordinated 48-hour operation against armed Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, more than 3,000 km from Mumbai. The operation concluded without any casualties or injuries, according to the Ministry of Defence.

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The vessel is hijacked by an armed pirate group off Somalia’s northeastern coast on October 29. Authorities fear the pirates could use Azini as a “mother ship” to launch further attacks on commercial vessels operating along vital international shipping routes.

The Navy deployed INS Kolkata, supported by a P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a Sea Guardian drone, to locate and track the hijacked vessel. After persistent surveillance, the platforms used calibrated non-kinetic measures to restrict its movement and prevent escape.

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Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS) then conduct a tactical intervention, deploying through a precision airdrop from an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft. The commandos secured the vessel, overcame the pirate threat and freed all 20 crew members.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Navy and acknowledged the Indian Air Force’s support, describing the operation as evidence of India’s high operational readiness and ability to respond to maritime threats far from its coastline. The mission reinforce dIndia’s role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region and its commitment to protecting seafarers and securing international maritime trade routes.

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