Indian Navy rescues 20 Iranian crew from hijacked fishing vessel off Somalia

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy, in coordination with the Indian Air Force, completed a 48-hour operation to rescue all 20 crew members of the Iranian fishing vessel Azini from Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, officials said Monday.

The vessel had been hijacked on October 29, 2026, off the northeastern coast of Somalia between the coastal towns of Bandar Bayla and Hafun. Twelve pirates had seized the Azini, which was carrying 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali security guards, bringing the total number of people on board to 23.

The Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean had issued an alert warning the vessel was approaching a commercial shipping lane and could potentially be used as a "mother ship" to facilitate further attacks on merchant vessels.

The Indian Navy deployed a mission-deployed warship and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft to locate and intercept the hijacked vessel. The platforms maintained surveillance and monitored the vessel's movements to prevent the pirates from escaping. The Navy employed calibrated non-kinetic measures to contain the vessel and prevent it from moving away.

Marine Commandos were deployed to secure the vessel. The Indian Air Force transported the commandos via C-17 aircraft in a precision airdrop to augment the operation.

Following location and containment, the Indian Navy executed a tactical intervention to overcome the armed pirate threat. All 20 crew members were rescued safely with no casualties or injuries reported.

The operation, which lasted more than 48 hours, concluded on Monday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Indian Navy, stating it demonstrated India's ability, intent and resolve to safeguard lives and uphold maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Indian Navy said the operation was a testament to its high operational preparedness and ability to undertake complex maritime security operations through seamless inter-service coordination. It also underscores India's commitment to protecting seafarers, protecting vital maritime trade routes and ensuring a safe, secure and stable maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region.

The hijacking occurred amid a resurgence of Somali piracy across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean, where six commercial vessels had been hijacked since April 2026, with some attacks taking place considerable distances from Somalia's coastline.