Indian Navy frees 20 crew from hijacked vessel Azini off Somalia

The Indian Navy completed a 48-hour operation on November 2, 2026, that freed the Iranian fishing vessel Azini and its 20 crew members from armed pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia. No casualties or injuries occurred among the crew. The vessel had been seized earlier in late October between Bandar Bayla and Hafun. Indian officials said the pirates intended to use it as a mother ship for further attacks on merchant shipping in the region.

A mission-deployed warship, identified in reporting as INS Kolkata, and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft tracked the Azini after persistent surveillance. Calibrated non-kinetic measures contained the vessel and prevented escape. Marine Commandos were then inserted by precision airdrop from an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft. The commandos secured the vessel, overcame the pirate group and released the crew. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the forces and noted that the action took place more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai.

Most of the crew were Iranian nationals. A Puntland Maritime Police Force official had earlier reported a slightly different headcount that included two Somali security guards; the Indian Ministry of Defence stated that all 20 crew were safely rescued. The Navy emphasised seamless coordination with the Air Force. The operation reinforces India’s stated role as a first responder and preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly for protecting seafarers and trade routes.

Somali piracy has seen a limited resurgence in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean in recent months. The Azini seizure raised concerns that a fishing vessel could serve as a platform for longer-range attacks. Indian forces used surveillance assets including the P-8I aircraft and Sea Guardian drone in addition to the warship. After the tactical intervention the crew and vessel were secured without kinetic escalation against the pirates beyond what was required to free the hostages.

The successful rescue comes amid broader regional tensions that include the Strait of Hormuz crisis and ongoing conflicts. India has conducted similar anti-piracy missions in the past and maintains a continuous naval presence in the western Indian Ocean. The absence of casualties in a multi-service operation that involved an airdrop at sea demonstrates the readiness of specialised units. Further details on the exact number of pirates and their disposition after the boarding remain limited in official statements.

The incident highlights both the persistent risk to small vessels in the area and the capacity of regional navies to respond. Merchant shipping operators monitor such events for signs of wider pirate activity. Indian officials have restated their commitment to safe seas and a free and open Indian Ocean. The Azini case shows how a combination of persistent surveillance, non-kinetic containment and rapid special-forces insertion can end a hijacking before the vessel is turned to further use.