Last Updated on November 3, 2026 9:11 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
AMN/ WEB DESK
In a swift and well-coordinated operation spanning over 48 hours, the Indian Navy successfully liberated the fishing vessel, Azini, from armed pirates off the coast of Somalia. The Defence Ministry said that the operation culminated in the safe rescue of all 20 crew members, with no casualties or injuries. The Ministry said that Fishing Vessel Azini was reported to have been hijacked by an armed pirate group earlier last month, off the north-eastern coast of Somalia.
It said that the hijacking represented a significant maritime security threat, with the possibility of the vessel being employed as a ‘mother ship’ for launching further pirate attacks against merchant shipping in the region. Responding to the situation, the Indian Navy tasked a mission-deployed warship to intervene, supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Working in close coordination, these platforms located the vessel after persistent surveillance, tracked its movements and employed calibrated non-kinetic measures to contain its movement and prevent its escape.
Marine Commandos were augmented through a precision airdrop by an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aircraft. Executing a swift and well-coordinated tactical intervention, the Indian Navy secured the vessel, overcame the pirate threat and ensured safe release of all 20 crew members. Defence Ministry said that the successful operation is testament to the Indian Navy’s high operational preparedness and ability to undertake complex maritime security operations through seamless inter-service coordination. The Ministry said that the operation also underscores India’s unwavering commitment to remaining First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region.