Indian Navy Frees 20 Iranian Sailors from Somali Pirates After 48-Hour Rescue Mission

The Indian Navy has successfully rescued 20 Iranian sailors from a fishing vessel hijacked by armed Somali pirates, bringing a high-risk maritime operation in the Arabian Sea to a safe conclusion after more than 48 hours.

The vessel, named Azini, was reportedly seized by pirates on October 29 off the northeastern coast of Somalia, between Bandar Bayla and Hafun. The hijacking raised serious security concerns, as the pirates could potentially use the fishing boat as a floating base to launch attacks on commercial ships operating in the region.

Following reports of the hijacking, the Indian Navy deployed a warship and maritime surveillance aircraft to locate and intercept the vessel. After tracking its movements through sustained aerial monitoring, naval forces took measures to restrict the boat’s movement and prevent it from escaping.

The operation entered its final phase with support from the Indian Air Force. A C-17 transport aircraft carried out an airdrop of Marine Commandos, who subsequently boarded and secured the vessel, neutralising the pirate threat and ensuring the safe release of all 20 crew members.

The mission was completed on November 2, approximately 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai. Indian authorities reported that the rescue was carried out without casualties or injuries among the rescued crew.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Navy and the Air Force for their coordinated response. He praised the forces for demonstrating their preparedness and ability to tackle maritime security challenges far beyond India’s coastline.

The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi also expressed gratitude to the Indian government and the armed forces for bringing its nationals to safety. The embassy commended the personnel for their courage, professionalism and teamwork, describing the mission as a reflection of the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India and Iran.

The successful rescue highlights India’s continued efforts to protect seafarers, secure vital international shipping routes and respond to emerging piracy threats across the Indian Ocean region.