The Indian Navy has completed a successful maritime security operation, freeing 20 crew members held aboard the hijacked Iranian fishing vessel Azini by armed Somali pirates. The operation concluded on November 2 after approximately 48 hours of coordinated efforts in waters more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai.
The hijacking had raised concerns among maritime security agencies because of the potential use of Azini as a pirate support vessel. Such vessels can serve as offshore bases, allowing pirate groups to extend their operational reach and threaten merchant ships travelling through important international shipping corridors.
After identifying the threat, the Indian Navy initiated a mission to track the fishing vessel and bring it under control. INS Kolkata, a frontline guided-missile destroyer, was deployed for the interception. The naval deployment received assistance from P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and a Sea Guardian remotely piloted aircraft, which provided aerial monitoring and helped establish the vessel’s location.
Indian forces maintained surveillance over the hijacked vessel and employed calibrated non-kinetic measures to restrict its movement. This created an opportunity for specialised personnel to approach and secure the vessel while minimising risks to the hostages.
Marine Commandos, known as MARCOS, played a crucial role in the final phase of the mission. Their deployment was supported by an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, which carried out a precision airdrop to insert the commandos into the operational area. The specialised team subsequently moved to secure Azini and neutralise the pirate threat.
The Indian Navy confirmed that all 20 crew members were recovered safely, with no casualties or injuries reported during the operation.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the armed forces for their coordinated response and successful completion of the mission. In his message on X, he highlighted the Navy’s ability to locate and intercept the vessel at a considerable distance from the Indian coastline. He also acknowledged the Indian Air Force’s contribution and described the mission as an example of India’s strong maritime operational capabilities.
The incident highlights the continuing importance of anti-piracy operations around the Horn of Africa and the western Indian Ocean. Despite years of international naval patrols, the resurgence of Somali pirate activity has renewed concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers.
India has maintained a sustained naval presence in the Gulf of Aden since 2008 to protect merchant vessels and support maritime security. The latest rescue adds to these efforts and reinforces the Indian Navy’s ability to respond to emerging threats across distant international waters.
The successful recovery of all 20 crew members demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated military operations involving warships, surveillance platforms, strategic transport aircraft and specialised naval forces.
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