Indian Navy and Air Force Rescue 20 Crew Members from Somali Pirates

The Indian Navy, in coordination with the Indian Air Force, has successfully carried out a daring 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea to rescue an Iranian fishing vessel hijacked by Somali pirates. The vessel, named Azini, was seized by pirates on October 29, putting the lives of its 20 crew members at risk. Acting swiftly, the Indian Navy tracked down the hijacked vessel nearly 3,000 km from Mumbai and launched an operation to intercept it. With timely aerial support from the Indian Air Force, the Navy confronted the pirates and regained control of the fishing vessel. The operation was successfully completed on November 2, with all 20 crew members rescued safely and no casualties reported.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Navy and Air Force for their coordinated efforts in completing the mission. In a post on X, he stated that the successful 48-hour operation demonstrated the Indian Navy's ability to tackle maritime threats and protect vessels at sea. He also reaffirmed India's commitment to ensuring security across the Indian Ocean region. With piracy activities reported in parts of the Indian Ocean and near the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Navy continues to maintain surveillance and support the safety of international shipping routes.