India's navy has rescued 20 crew members aboard an Iranian fishing vessel hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off northeastern Somalia, following a 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — India's navy has rescued 20 crew members aboard an Iranian fishing vessel hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off the country's northeastern coast on October 29, the Indian government said.
The vessel, identified as the Azini, was seized while sailing off northeastern Somalia, prompting a major rescue operation by the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea.
According to India's Hindustan Times newspaper, the operation lasted 48 hours and was conducted approximately 3,000 kilometres (1,864 miles) from Mumbai, involving naval forces and support from the Indian Air Force.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the navy for what he described as a highly coordinated operation that successfully secured the release of all 20 crew members.
In a statement posted on X, Singh said the swift detection of the hijacked vessel, its interception and the subsequent rescue of the crew demonstrated the Indian Navy's high state of readiness and its ability to respond to maritime security threats in the region.
He also commended the Indian Air Force for providing timely support during the operation.
"Once again, the Indian Navy has demonstrated India's capability and determination to safeguard human lives, protect maritime security and ensure stability across the Indian Ocean," Singh said.
The Hindustan Times report said the fishing vessel was hijacked in waters between the coastal towns of Bandar Beyla and Hafun in northeastern Somalia, an area along the country's long Indian Ocean coastline.
The rescue highlights continuing concerns over piracy in waters off Somalia, where armed groups have periodically targeted commercial vessels and fishing boats despite years of international naval patrols.
Somali piracy emerged as a major international security threat in the mid-2000s, with armed groups seizing ships and demanding millions of dollars in ransom. The attacks disrupted commercial shipping routes linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe through the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean.
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International naval deployments helped significantly reduce piracy incidents during the following decade. However, attacks and attempted hijackings have resurfaced in recent years, raising concerns about the security of one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.
India has maintained a sustained naval presence in the region as part of its efforts to protect international shipping and counter piracy.
According to Singh, at least one Indian warship has been continuously deployed on security patrols in the Gulf of Aden since October 23, 2008.
The Indian Navy has conducted numerous anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the wider Arabian Sea, escorting commercial vessels and responding to distress calls from ships operating in the region.
The latest rescue underscores India's growing role in maritime security operations across the western Indian Ocean, where shipping routes remain vulnerable to piracy and other security threats.
Somalia has one of Africa's longest coastlines, stretching along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, making maritime security a major concern for regional and international powers.
The Indian government did not immediately provide further details about the identities of the rescued crew members or whether the suspected pirates had been arrested. It was also unclear whether any of the hijackers were captured during the operation.
All 20 crew members were reported rescued, bringing the 48-hour operation to a successful conclusion.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
