Indian Navy rescues 20 crew from hijacked vessel off Somalia
The 48-hour operation involved Marine Commandos and an Indian Air Force aircraft to secure the fishing vessel Azini.
The Indian Navy has rescued all 20 crew members of the fishing vessel Azini after it was taken by armed pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia, according to The Hindu. The operation lasted more than 48 hours and resulted in no injuries or casualties.
The vessel was hijacked by an armed pirate group last month. Authorities suspected the ship might have been used as a mother ship to launch additional attacks on merchant vessels in the area, creating a maritime security threat.
To locate the vessel, the Navy deployed a warship and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. These platforms used non-kinetic measures to track the ship and stop it from escaping.
Marine Commandos were delivered to the vessel via a precision airdrop from an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aircraft. The commandos then performed a tactical intervention to secure the ship and neutralise the pirates.
The Indian Navy stated that the mission demonstrated its operational preparedness and ability to handle complex tasks through inter-service coordination. The Navy also noted its commitment to being a First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region to protect trade routes and seafarers.