# Indian Navy rescue of hijacked Iranian vessel Azini

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indian-navy-rescue-of-hijacked-iranian-vessel-azini
> Updated: 2026-11-03T15:53:21.000Z. Sources: 51. Developments: 2.

On October 29, the Iranian fishing vessel Azini was hijacked by approximately 12 armed Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, near the northeastern coast of Somalia between Bandar Bayla and Hafun. Authorities expressed concern that the vessel could be utilized as a “mother ship” to facilitate further attacks on commercial shipping lanes.

Following a 48 hour operation, the Indian Navy successfully rescued all 20 crew members. The mission, conducted over 3,000 km from Mumbai, involved the warship INS Kolkata, maritime reconnaissance assets including a P-8I aircraft and a Sea Guardian drone, and an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft. The C-17 performed a precision airdrop of MARCOS commandos to secure the vessel.

The operation concluded without casualties or injuries to the rescued crew. According to a Puntland maritime police official, Indian forces disarmed 12 suspected Somali pirates and confiscated their mobile phones. The suspects and two Somali security guards were brought ashore at Bandar Bayla.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the rescue took place more than 3,000 kilometers from Mumbai. The incident has highlighted a resurgence of Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean, a region that had seen significantly reduced activity over the last decade. This trend follows several other hijackings between April and August, including the seizure of the oil tanker Sibu 1.

## Claims

- The Indian Navy rescued 20 crew members from the Iranian fishing vessel Azini. (reported by 5 sources)
- The rescue operation lasted more than 48 hours. (reported by 5 sources)
- The operation took place in the Arabian Sea, more than 3,000 kilometers from Mumbai. (reported by 4 sources)
- Indian forces disarmed 12 suspected Somali pirates and confiscated their mobile phones. (reported by 3 sources)
- The Indian Ministry of Defense reported no casualties or injuries during the operation. (reported by 3 sources)
- Marine commandos were airdropped into the operation via an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft. (reported by 3 sources)
- In September, pirates killed five crew members of the tanker MT Honour 25. (reported by 3 sources)
- Pirates hijacked six commercial vessels between April and August. (reported by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-03: Indian Navy rescues 20 crew from hijacked Iranian fishing vessel

The Indian Navy rescued 20 crew members from the hijacked Iranian fishing vessel Azini during a 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-navy-rescues-20-crew-from-hijacked-iranian-fishing-boat

### 2026-11-01: Indian Navy rescues crew of hijacked Iranian vessel Azini

The Indian Navy rescued 20 crew members from the hijacked Iranian fishing vessel Azini during a 48-hour operation off the coast of Somalia, thwarting fears the ship would be used as a pirate mother ship.

45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/somali-pirates-seize-iranian-fishing-vessel-azini

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Cite as: Indian Navy rescue of hijacked Iranian vessel Azini. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indian-navy-rescue-of-hijacked-iranian-vessel-azini