Indian Navy Rescues Hijacked Fishing Vessel Azini Off Somalia, Frees All 20 Crew

The Indian Navy successfully rescued the fishing vessel Azini from armed pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia in an operation that lasted more than 48 hours and ended on 3 November 2026. All 20 crew members were freed without casualties or injuries. The vessel had been hijacked earlier last month and was assessed as a potential mother ship for further attacks on merchant shipping in the region.

A mission-deployed warship, supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft, located and tracked the vessel after persistent surveillance. Calibrated non-kinetic measures contained the ship and prevented its escape. Marine Commandos were then inserted by a precision airdrop from an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft. The commandos secured the vessel, neutralised the pirate threat and released the crew.

Operational Sequence

The hijacking occurred off the northeastern Somali coast. Indian Navy assets maintained continuous tracking once the vessel was located. Non-kinetic containment measures kept the ship from moving toward open sea or additional targets. The airdrop of Marine Commandos provided the decisive boarding capability. Coordination between the Navy and the Air Force allowed the insertion without a conventional approach that might have alerted the pirates earlier.

The Press Information Bureau and the Navy confirmed the outcome on Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported among the crew or the naval personnel involved. The operation reinforces India's stated role as a first responder and preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

Broader Maritime Context

Somali pirate activity has remained a concern for shipping lanes in the western Indian Ocean even after the peak years of the 2000s and early 2010s. The use of a captured fishing vessel as a mother ship increases the range and endurance of pirate groups. The Azini operation demonstrates the continued requirement for sustained presence and rapid-response capability by navies operating in the region.

The successful inter-service coordination, particularly the C-17 airdrop of commandos, illustrates the integration of naval and air assets for maritime interdiction. Merchant vessels transiting the area benefit from the deterrent effect of such operations. The Navy has not released further details on the fate of the pirates or the exact location of the final boarding.

Immediate Aftermath

All 20 crew members are reported safe. The vessel is under naval control following the intervention. The operation concludes a multi-day surveillance and containment effort that began after the initial hijacking report. Indian authorities have emphasised the protection of seafarers and the security of international trade routes as core objectives of the deployment.