New Delhi: The Indian Navy rescues 20 crew members from the fishing vessel Azini after it was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia. The operation lasted more than 48 hours and ended successfully, with all crew members rescued safely without any casualties or injuries.
The operation highlights India’s commitment to protecting merchant shipping and maintaining maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
How Was Fishing Vessel Azini Hijacked
Fishing vessel Azini was reportedly hijacked by an armed pirate group last month off the northeastern coast of Somalia.
The hijacking raised serious security concerns because pirates could have used the vessel as a ‘mother ship’ to launch further attacks on merchant ships passing through the region. A mother ship is a larger vessel used by pirates to support attacks on other ships.
Operation Azini: Indian Navy Launches Rescue Operation
After receiving information about the hijacking, the Indian Navy deployed a mission-ready warship to rescue the crew members and secure the vessel.
The operation was supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Indian Navy platforms continuously monitored the vessel, tracked its movements and worked to prevent the pirates from escaping.
The Navy also used calibrated non-kinetic measures to control the vessel’s movement and limit the threat.
Marine Commandos Deployed For Operation Azini
Marine Commandos were also deployed to carry out the operation. They received additional support through a precision airdrop conducted by an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aircraft.
After careful planning and coordinated action, the Indian Navy successfully secured the fishing vessel and overcame the pirate threat. All 20 crew members were rescued safely. No casualties or injuries were reported.
Why Is The Operation Azini Important For India
The rescue operation is important for India’s maritime security efforts, particularly in the waters around the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast.
These waters are important international shipping routes connecting Asia, Europe and other parts of the world.
Piracy in this region can threaten fishing vessels, commercial ships, sailors and international trade. India regularly deploys naval assets in the region to protect shipping routes and respond to maritime security threats.
FAQs
Fishing vessel Azini was hijacked by armed pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia.
The Indian Navy rescued all 20 crew members from the fishing vessel Azini after it was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The Indian Navy deployed a warship supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft and Marine Commandos. The operation also received support from an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft. All 20 crew members were rescued safely.
