Indian Navy Commandos Rescue Hijacked Iranian Vessel off Somalia
In a high-stakes maritime operation, Indian naval commandos successfully rescued 20 crew members from an Iranian fishing vessel that had been hijacked by armed pirates near the Somali coast. After tracking the ship, known as the Azini, with a warship and surveillance aircraft, the elite forces parachuted onto the vessel to neutralize the threat and secure the safety of those on board. The Iranian embassy in India praised the mission, highlighting the bravery and professionalism of the Indian Armed Forces in safeguarding lives on the high seas.
The seizure of the Azini on October 29 highlights a concerning resurgence of piracy in the region, with at least 15 incidents reported since April—the highest frequency seen in over a decade. Authorities feared the vessel was being repurposed as a "mother ship" to facilitate further attacks on international merchant traffic. This incident marks the third time an Iranian fishing boat has been targeted in these waters since July, underscoring the growing instability in the area and the vital role played by regional naval powers in maintaining maritime security.