Azini rescue: Indian Navy frees all 20 crew off Somalia

The Azini rescue ended with all 20 crew members safe after the Indian Navy secured the hijacked fishing vessel off northeastern Somalia in an operation completed on November 2, according to reports. The Navy said nobody was killed or injured during the mission.

The effort lasted more than 48 hours and involved naval surveillance, a warship and Marine Commandos. An Indian Air Force aircraft also supported the deployment of the commandos.

According to the Navy, armed pirates had seized the fishing vessel during the previous month. Officials suspected the captors intended to use it as a platform from which to attack other merchant ships in the region.

Surveillance followed by commando intervention

A warship ready for deployment was sent to respond, with a maritime reconnaissance aircraft helping locate and follow the vessel. Naval units maintained surveillance before taking steps to restrict its movement.

The Navy described those containment measures as non-kinetic. Their purpose was to keep the hijacked vessel from getting away while the operation developed.

Marine Commandos were then delivered through an airdrop carried out by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft. They intervened aboard the vessel, brought it under control and removed the pirate threat, the Navy said.

The Azini rescue combined the work of ships, reconnaissance aviation and the Air Force transport aircraft. The official account linked that coordination to the recovery of the crew without casualties.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the personnel's role in protecting lives and supporting maritime security. His remarks also referred to stability in the Indian Ocean region.

The Navy presented the mission as part of India's commitment to safeguarding seafarers and important international shipping routes. The reported outcome was the release of every crew member aboard Azini after the prolonged operation.

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