International
oi-Ashish Rana
An armed group of pirates hijacked the Iranian fishing vessel Azini last month, the Indian Navy said on Tuesday. The Navy later launched a rescue mission and brought all 20 crew members to safety. The operation ended without any casualties or injuries.
The Indian Navy successfully rescued all 20 crew members aboard the hijacked Iranian fishing vessel Azini in the Arabian Sea last month, concluding the operation safely without casualties, leading to thanks from the Iranian Embassy.
Iranian Embassy Thanks Indian Armed Forces
Following the rescue, the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi thanked the Indian government, Navy and Air Force for their efforts. It expressed its “sincere appreciation” for bringing all 20 Iranian crew members to safety.
The Navy said the pirates could have used the hijacked fishing vessel as a “mother ship” to attack merchant ships operating in the region. This made the incident a “significant maritime security threat”.
Indian Navy Deploys Warship And Aircraft
Responding to the situation, the Navy deployed a mission-ready warship to intervene, supported by a maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
“Working in close coordination, these platforms located the vessel after persistent surveillance, tracked its movements and employed calibrated non-kinetic measures to contain its movement and prevent its escape,” it said in a statement.
The Navy also deployed marine commandos through a precision airdrop by an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 aircraft.
“Executing a swift and well-coordinated tactical intervention, the Indian Navy secured the vessel, overcame the pirate threat and ensured safe release of all 20 crew members,” the Navy said.
Navy Highlights India’s Maritime Security Role
It described the “successful operation” as a “testament” to the Indian Navy’s high operational preparedness and its ability to conduct complex maritime security missions through “seamless inter-service coordination”.
“It also underscores India’s unwavering commitment to remaining First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region,” the Navy said.
“The Indian Navy stands committed to safeguarding seafarers, protecting vital maritime trade routes and ensuring a safe, secure and stable maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region,” it added.
Iran Thanks Indian Armed Forces
The Indian Embassy in Tehran said the operation was carried out on Monday, more than 3,000 kms from Mumbai, in the Arabian Sea. It added that the mission reinforced the “longstanding bonds of friendship and goodwill between India and Iran”.
In a social media post, the Iranian Embassy said: “We highly commend the professionalism, courage and effective coordination demonstrated by the Indian armed forces, reflecting India’s strong commitment to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and its role in saving lives beyond borders.”
“This humanitarian operation stands as a testament to the spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Iran and India,” it said.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to all those involved in ensuring the safe rescue of the Iranian crew,” it added.
