Credit : BRICS NEWS
NEW DELHI, November 3, 2026 – The Indian Navy has rescued all 20 crew members of an Iranian fishing vessel that was hijacked by Somali pirates, ending an operation that lasted more than 48 hours without any casualties, the Indian government said.
BRICS News reported the rescue in a post on X, saying: “Indian Navy successfully rescues 20 crew members from an Iranian fishing boat seized by Somali pirates after a 48-hour operation.”
The fishing vessel Azini was hijacked on October 29 between Bandar Bayla and Hafun off the coast of Somalia, about 3,000 km from Mumbai, the Hindustan Times reported. Indian officials were concerned that the pirates could use the captured boat as a “mother ship” to launch attacks on larger merchant vessels in the region.
According to the Press Information Bureau, a mission-deployed Indian warship and maritime reconnaissance aircraft tracked the vessel and applied “calibrated non-kinetic measures” to contain its movement and prevent its escape, after locating it through persistent surveillance. Marine Commandos were then airdropped into the area from an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft. The operation concluded on Monday with the Azini freed and all crew members safe. The destroyer INS Kolkata was among the assets involved, the Hindustan Times said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the operation as “meticulously coordinated”. “The swift localisation, interception and safe release of the crew and vessel from significantly-armed pirates, with timely support from the Indian Air Force, speak well of the Indian Navy’s high operational readiness and ability to respond decisively to maritime threats across the region,” he said in a social media post. “Our brave personnel have once again demonstrated India’s ability, intent and resolve to safeguard lives, uphold maritime security and ensure stability across the Indian Ocean Region.”
AFP reported that Indian commandos parachuted into the area to reach the hijacked ship, which had been seized off Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. The navy said the operation reflected its “high operational preparedness and ability to undertake complex maritime security operations through seamless inter-service coordination”.
Iran’s embassy in New Delhi expressed its “sincere gratitude” to India. “This humanitarian operation stands as a testament to the spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Iran and India,” the embassy said, according to the Hindustan Times. “We highly commend the professionalism, courage and effective coordination demonstrated by the Indian Armed Forces, reflecting India’s strong commitment to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and its role in saving lives beyond borders,” it added.
The rescue comes amid a resurgence of piracy off the Horn of Africa. The European Union’s maritime security centre has recorded at least 15 attacks since April, the highest number since 2013, AFP reported. The Azini is the third Iranian fishing boat to be hijacked by Somali pirates since July.
India has had at least one warship carrying out round-the-clock anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since October 23, 2008, to protect Indian sea-borne trade and deter pirates, the Hindustan Times noted. The navy said the latest rescue underscored India’s commitment to being the first responder and preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean.
Source: BRICS News on X
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