NEW DELHI, November 3: The Indian Navy has freed the fishing vessel Azini from armed pirates off Somalia and rescued all 20 crew members unharmed, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday. The operation lasted more than 48 hours and used a warship, a maritime patrol aircraft and marine commandos dropped into the area by an Indian Air Force C-17.
Key highlights
- Azini was hijacked by an armed pirate group last month off the north-eastern coast of Somalia.
- The Navy feared the pirates could use it as a “mother ship” to attack merchant vessels.
- A mission-deployed warship and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft tracked the vessel and used “calibrated non-kinetic measures” to stop it escaping.
- Marine Commandos (MARCOS) were added to the force by a precision airdrop from an IAF C-17, then boarded and secured the vessel.
- All 20 crew were released safely, with no casualties or injuries, the ministry said.
How the operation unfolded
| Stage | What the Navy did |
|---|---|
| Hijacking | Pirates seized Azini off north-eastern Somalia last month |
| Search | A warship and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft located the vessel after persistent surveillance |
| Containment | Non-kinetic measures were used to restrict its movement and stop it escaping |
| Reinforcement | MARCOS were airdropped by an IAF C-17 |
| Boarding | The Navy secured the vessel and overcame the pirates |
| Outcome | All 20 crew safe; no casualties or injuries |
Why a fishing boat matters
Pirates off Somalia have often used hijacked fishing vessels and dhows as floating bases. From a larger boat, they can launch small skiffs far out at sea and approach merchant ships that would otherwise be beyond their reach. Taking Azini back removes one such platform from waters close to the shipping lanes between the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, through which much of India’s trade and energy imports pass.
Our calculation
- Assets used: at least four elements from two services: a warship, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft, Navy marine commandos and an Air Force C-17.
- Duration: more than 48 hours from the start of the operation to the release of the crew.
- Result: 20 of 20 crew rescued, with no injuries reported.
What it means
The rescue reinforces India’s claim to be the “first responder” in the Indian Ocean, a role the Navy has built through repeated anti-piracy operations off Somalia in recent years. The use of an Air Force transport aircraft to drop commandos far from home also shows growing joint planning between the services. The ministry did not say whether the pirates were detained or what will happen to them.
What to watch
- Any further details from the Navy on the pirates and the crew’s nationalities.
- Whether more hijacked dhows or fishing vessels are being used as mother ships in the area.
- Shipping advisories for the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast.
File photo: Indian Navy marine commandos board a fishing vessel during an earlier anti-piracy operation. Image: Indian Navy, Government Open Data Licence – India, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo source · Licence
Sources
The International Desk covers world and Asian affairs, diplomacy and conflict, with a focus on what they mean for India. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.
