Indian Navy rescues hijacked vessel Azini off Somalia, all 20 crew safe

The Indian Navy has rescued a hijacked fishing vessel, Azini, off the northeastern coast of Somalia in an operation that lasted more than 48 hours, the Navy said. All 20 crew members were released safely, and there were no casualties or injuries.

According to the Navy, the vessel had been hijacked by an armed pirate group earlier last month. It was suspected of being used as a “mother ship” from which further attacks could be launched on merchant vessels in the region, the Navy said. Such use of hijacked vessels, it added, poses a significant threat to maritime security.

In response, the Navy deployed a mission-ready warship, supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft, to locate and track the vessel. After sustained surveillance, the naval platforms used calibrated non-kinetic measures to contain the vessel and prevent it from escaping.

Marine Commandos were then inducted through a precision airdrop by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft as part of the operation. The Navy said the commandos carried out a swift tactical intervention, secured the vessel and neutralised the pirate threat, leading to the safe rescue of all 20 crew members.

The operation demonstrated the Navy’s operational preparedness and its ability to undertake complex maritime security missions through coordination with the Air Force, the Navy said. It also underlined the role of air support in extending the reach and speed of naval operations at sea. The C-17 is a heavy-lift transport aircraft used by the Indian Air Force, while the Navy’s Marine Commandos are its specialised maritime special operations force.

The waters off Somalia and the wider Gulf of Aden region form part of a vital international shipping corridor. Attacks on merchant and fishing vessels can endanger crews and disrupt trade routes that are important to many economies. The Navy’s statement linked the rescue to India’s commitment to acting as a “First Responder” and “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly in safeguarding seafarers and ensuring the security of international maritime trade routes.

India has in recent years highlighted its role in anti-piracy patrols and maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean Region. The Navy said the latest rescue reflected seamless coordination between its warships and aircraft and the Air Force. The statement did not give further operational details beyond those announced.

The safe release of all 20 crew members is the central outcome of the operation. The Navy said no casualties or injuries were reported among the crew. The rescue is also being seen in the context of continuing international attention to threats against shipping in the region, where navies and international forces have been monitoring risks to vessels and seafarers.