Indian Navy rescues 20 crew members from fishing vessel hijacked off the coast of Somalia

MUQDISHO – The Indian Navy has rescued all 20 crew members aboard an Iranian fishing vessel, after they were kidnapped by armed pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia.

The Indian Ministry of Defence stated on Tuesday that the operation to free the crew and the vessel Azini concluded on November 2, following a military operation that lasted 48 hours, which involved cooperation between the naval and air forces of the country.

The ministry confirmed that all 20 crew members were released safely, with no reports of any deaths or injuries. The fishing vessel was hijacked on October 29, an incident that raised concerns that pirates might use the ship to launch further attacks against commercial vessels traversing the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Upon receiving information about the hijacking, the Indian Navy dispatched a warship to the area, supported by maritime surveillance aircraft, to locate and intercept the hijacked vessel. According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the forces continuously monitored the movements of the ship, employing measures to restrict its movement and prevent it from escaping the area.

Subsequently, the specially trained marine commandos of the Indian Navy, known as MARCOS, were sent to the vessel, with a C-17 cargo aircraft delivering them to the site. The commandos boarded the ship, took control of it, and overcame the threat posed by the pirates, restoring the freedom of all the captured crew members.

The Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, congratulated the naval forces and all the personnel involved in the operation, stating that it demonstrates India's capability to address maritime security threats, even in areas far from its shores. Singh mentioned in a post he shared on X that the swift rescue of the vessel and its crew showcases the preparedness of the forces and their ability to respond to maritime threats.

He added that India is committed to protecting seafarers, securing maritime trade routes, and ensuring overall stability in the Indian Ocean. The rescue operation was reported to have taken place more than 3,000 kilometers from the city of Mumbai, highlighting the extent of operations conducted by the Indian naval forces in the Indian Ocean region.

This incident comes at a time when concerns about Somali piracy have resurfaced, following an increase in armed groups hijacking fishing and commercial vessels. Somali piracy reached its peak between 2008 and 2012, during which armed groups hijacked numerous ships and held their crews for ransom.

International naval operations and enhanced security measures have subsequently contributed to a reduction in such attacks. However, the resurgence of piracy activities since late 2023 has once again raised concerns about the security of the maritime routes connecting the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea.

The Indian Navy has stated that they will continue efforts to protect maritime trade and the safety of ships navigating the Indian Ocean region.