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INS Kolkata led the Indian Navy's operation to intercept the hijacked vessel off Somalia. (Img: PIB)
New Delhi: In a bold exhibition of naval supremacy and operational skill, the Indian Navy accomplished a risky 48-hour anti-piracy mission, successfully outsmarting armed pirates to rescue the captured fishing trawler Azini and secure the safety of its 20 crew members. The daring operation demonstrated India’s maritime reach, tactical skill and ability to deal with danger in the strategically important waters of the Indian Ocean.
The intensive operation, lasting more than 48 hours and completed on November 2, involved coordinated naval and aerial assets, including a mission-deployed warship, maritime surveillance platforms and elite Marine Commandos. No casualties or injuries were reported.
The successful intervention thwarted a potential maritime security threat in the western Indian Ocean, where the hijacked vessel was feared to be at risk of being converted into a mother ship for launching further attacks on commercial shipping.
According to the Indian Navy, Azini was hijacked by an armed pirate group earlier in October off Somalia’s northeastern coastline. The vessel’s capture raised concerns that pirates could exploit it as a floating operational base to target merchant ships navigating strategically important international shipping lanes.
In response, the Navy deployed INS Kolkata to locate and intercept the hijacked fishing vessel. The warship was supported by a P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a Sea Guardian drone, enabling sustained aerial surveillance and maritime domain monitoring.
The coordinated deployment helped naval forces establish the vessel’s location, track its movements and assess the evolving threat. Through persistent surveillance and calibrated non-kinetic measures, the Navy restricted the vessel’s movement and prevented the pirates from escaping.
As the operation progressed, the Navy reinforced its intervention with Marine Commandos, widely known as MARCOS. The specialised personnel were deployed through a precision airdrop conducted by an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft.
The commandos subsequently carried out a tactical intervention, secured the fishing vessel and neutralised the pirate threat. Naval personnel ensured that all 20 crew members were safely released. The operation was completed without any reported loss of life or injuries.
The involvement of the Navy, maritime reconnaissance assets, unmanned surveillance platforms and the Air Force highlighted the importance of integrated military operations in responding to complex maritime contingencies.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Indian Navy for successfully completing the mission. He said the operation demonstrated India's ability to locate and intercept a hijacked vessel and rescue its crew from heavily armed pirates. He also acknowledged the timely support provided by the Indian Air Force.
Singh noted that the operation had been conducted more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai and reaffirmed India's resolve to safeguard lives, protect maritime interests and maintain stability across the Indian Ocean Region.
The Ministry of Defence described the successful mission as evidence of the Navy's high operational preparedness and its ability to execute complex maritime security operations through seamless inter-service coordination.
The rescue operation reinforces India's role as a first responder and preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region. The Indian Navy has reiterated its commitment to protecting seafarers, securing vital maritime trade routes and maintaining a safe, stable and secure maritime environment.
The incident also highlights the continuing threat posed by armed piracy to commercial shipping and fishing vessels operating near the Horn of Africa. The use of hijacked vessels as potential mother ships can expand the operational reach of pirate groups, allowing them to threaten merchant traffic farther from coastal waters.
By securing Azini and rescuing its entire crew, the Indian Navy has prevented a potentially serious escalation and demonstrated its capacity to respond to maritime threats through surveillance, coordinated deployment and specialised tactical intervention.
