Somalia: Indian Navy Rescues 20 Crew Members From Hijacked Fishing Vessel Off Somalia

What the report says

The Indian Navy said it rescued all 20 crew members from a hijacked Iranian fishing vessel off Somalia’s coast after a 48-hour operation carried out with support from the Indian Air Force. The vessel, identified as Azini, had been seized by armed pirates near Somalia’s northeastern shoreline, according to the report carried by Shabelle and distributed by AllAfrica.

The operation concluded on November 2, and Indian authorities said the crew was freed safely with no injuries or casualties reported. The navy used a warship and maritime surveillance aircraft to track the vessel, then sent Indian Marine Commandos aboard in a precision airdrop from an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft. The ministry said the team secured the ship and ended the pirate threat.

Officials in India said the mission was intended to prevent the boat from being used as a “mother ship” for further attacks on commercial shipping in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. The incident highlights continuing concern over piracy off Somalia and the vulnerability of busy sea routes linking the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In broader context, piracy off Somalia surged in the late 2000s and early 2010s before declining, but recent reports have raised fresh worries about renewed attacks.