NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy, with timely support from 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, defence officials said Monday. The vessel was seized on October 29 off the northeastern coast of Somalia, between the coastal towns of Bandar Bayla and Hafun, approximately 185 nautical miles east of Bandarbayla.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the successful rescue on X, stating the operation reflected the Navy's high operational readiness and ability to respond decisively to maritime threats across the region. The tightly choreographed mission, located roughly 3,000 km from Mumbai, involved swift localisation and interception of the vessel, which was being tracked heading east toward a busy merchant shipping lane and could be used as a mothership for further attacks.
A cache of seized weapons was recovered and heavily armed pirates were subdued during the operation. Singh credited the Indian Air Force's timely support for the operation's success, stating it demonstrated India's ability, intent and resolve to safeguard lives and uphold maritime security and stability across the Indian Ocean Region.
At any given time, Indian warships have been carrying out round-the-clock anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since October 23, 2008, to protect Indian sea-borne trade, instil confidence in the seafaring community and act as a deterrent for pirates. The rescue underscores India's long-range operational reach and commitment to the safety of seafarers in the region.
The EU Maritime Security Centre-Indian Ocean had previously tracked the Azini and warned it could be used as a mothership for additional attacks. The successful operation marks a significant achievement in counter-piracy efforts amid a noted rebound in Somali piracy activity driven by regional economic factors.
