IndiaPosted at: Nov 3 2026 4:39PM


Indian Navy rescues hijacked fishing vessel Azini off Somalia coast, frees all 20 crew members

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) The Indian Navy has successfully rescued a hijacked fishing vessel, Azini, from armed pirates off the north-eastern coast of Somalia following a high-stakes operation lasting over 48 hours, securing the safe release of all 20 crew members without any casualties or injuries.
The operation involved close coordination between the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF), with a mission-deployed naval warship, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft and Marine Commandos working together to neutralise the pirate threat and regain control of the vessel.
The fishing vessel had been hijacked by an armed pirate group earlier last month. The incident had raised serious maritime security concerns, particularly over the possibility of the vessel being used as a ‘mother ship’ to launch further attacks on merchant shipping operating in the strategically important waters off Somalia.
Responding to the threat, the Indian Navy deployed a mission-ready warship to intercept the hijacked vessel, supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Following sustained surveillance, the naval platforms successfully located the vessel, tracked its movements, and employed calibrated non-kinetic measures to restrict its movement and prevent it from escaping.
In a significant inter-service coordination effort, Marine Commandos were also augmented through a precision airdrop conducted by an IAF C-17 aircraft, strengthening the Navy's operational capability for the tactical intervention.
The operation culminated in a swift and coordinated assault in which the Navy secured the vessel, overcame the armed pirate threat and rescued all 20 crew members safely.
The successful mission highlights the Indian Navy's operational preparedness and its ability to execute complex maritime security operations in distant waters through coordinated deployment of naval and air assets.
It also reinforces India's commitment to acting as a ‘First Responder’ and a ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly amid persistent threats to maritime security and international shipping.
The Indian Navy reiterated its commitment to safeguarding seafarers, securing vital maritime trade routes and maintaining a safe, secure and stable maritime environment across the Indian Ocean Region.
UNI PWS RSA
Tags: #Indian Navy rescues hijacked fishing vessel Azini off Somalia coast# frees all 20 crew members
More News

Jantar Mantar should never have been a designated protest venue, no fundamental right to protest at a particular site: Delhi Police tells SC

04 Nov 2026 | 12:24 AM

New Delhi, Nov. 3 (UNI) Delhi Police on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that Jantar Mantar should not have been a designated protest venue as it is a public road with limited capacity to accommodate large gatherings and lies close to sensitive Central government offices, institutions and foreign embassies. It also maintained that there is no fundamental right to protest at a particular site.

see more..

Public-private partnership essential to making Delhi a better medical hub: CM

03 Nov 2026 | 11:04 PM

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said the government is working to strengthen healthcare facilities across the national capital, with a focus on disease prevention and providing affordable medical services to residents.

see more..

NEET-PG may shift from percentile-based qualifying system to rank-based merit system

03 Nov 2026 | 10:36 PM

New Delhi, Nov. 3 (UNI) A 12-member expert committee set up to review the NEET-PG admission system has recommended replacing the existing percentile-based qualifying system with a rank-based merit system, a proposal that has received in-principle approval from the National Medical Commission.

see more..

Congress accuses EC of ‘Word Games’ over Form 6, demands halt to SIR

03 Nov 2026 | 10:30 PM

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) The Congress on Tuesday stepped up its confrontation with the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing the poll panel of using “word games” to defend a flawed exercise that, according to the opposition party, deletes existing voters first and subsequently asks them to seek re-enrolment as new electors.

see more..

Supreme Court restores registration of Crystal Crop protection’s insecticide, sets aside Delhi High Court order

03 Nov 2026 | 10:25 PM

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) The Supreme Court has restored the registration certificate granted to Crystal Crop Protection Ltd for the import and manufacture of the insecticide Halosulfuron methyl, setting aside a Delhi High Court judgment that had cancelled the registration.

see more..