Curated by KS Randhawa, Ludhiana Punjab
The Indian Navy has rescued all 20 crew members of the Iranian fishing vessel Azini after a coordinated operation lasting more than 48 hours in the Arabian Sea. The vessel had been hijacked by armed Somali pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia. The rescue was completed on 2 November 2026, and the Ministry of Defence announced the operation on 3 November.
A high-stakes rescue more than 3,000 km from Mumbai
The operation took place more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai, highlighting the Indian Navy’s ability to respond to maritime threats far beyond India’s coastline. According to the Ministry of Defence, a mission-deployed Navy warship was assigned to intercept the hijacked vessel, supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
After locating and tracking the fishing vessel through persistent surveillance, the Navy used measures to contain its movement and prevent it from escaping. Marine Commandos were reinforced through a precision airdrop by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft before the final intervention.
Why the hijacked vessel was a serious security concern
The fishing vessel Azini was reportedly seized on 29 October off the northeastern coast of Somalia, in the area between Bandar Bayla and Hafun. The Navy was concerned that pirates could turn the vessel into a “mother ship” — a larger floating base from which smaller boats could be launched to threaten merchant ships operating along busy shipping routes.
Somali pirate groups have previously used hijacked fishing vessels and other boats to extend their reach into international waters. A vessel operating as a mother ship can carry supplies, fuel and equipment, allowing attackers to remain at sea for longer periods and approach commercial shipping lanes.
What role did the Indian Air Force play?
The mission involved close coordination between the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. The Navy’s warship and maritime reconnaissance aircraft helped locate and track the vessel, while an IAF C-17 aircraft carried out a precision airdrop to reinforce the Marine Commandos involved in the operation.
The Ministry of Defence said all 20 crew members were safely rescued and that there were no casualties or injuries. The official statement described the operation as a successful joint effort to secure the vessel and overcome the pirate threat.
A note on differing crew-count reports
India’s official announcement confirms the rescue of 20 crew members. The Associated Press separately quoted a Puntland maritime police official as saying that the vessel had earlier been reported to carry 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali security guards. The difference between the figures has not been explained in the public accounts reviewed so far. The Indian government’s statement remains the source for the confirmed rescue figure of 20.
What the operation means for maritime security
The Arabian Sea and the wider western Indian Ocean are important corridors for energy supplies and international trade. A hijacked vessel being used as a pirate base could increase risks for merchant ships, seafarers and commercial operators moving through the region.
India has maintained naval deployments in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden to support maritime security and respond to threats against shipping. The Azini operation demonstrates the value of sustained surveillance, long-range deployment and coordination between the Navy and Air Force.
For India, the mission was not only a rescue of seafarers but also an effort to prevent a hijacked vessel from becoming a platform for further attacks on commercial shipping. It reinforces the country’s stated role as a first responder and security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
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