Indian Navy Frees Iranian Fishing Crew Held by Somali Pirates
The rescue of the Azini concluded after a 48-hour operation involving warships and airborne commandos in the Arabian Sea.
By Megan Ivanov ·
Indian naval forces recovered the Iranian fishing vessel Azini and its 20 crew members on Monday after they were held hostage for four days. The operation took place in the Arabian Sea, more than 3,000 kilometers from Mumbai, according to the Indian Defense Ministry.
The seizure occurred on October 29 between Bandar Bayla and Hafun. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the completion of the rescue on Tuesday. The Indian military deployed a warship, a maritime surveillance aircraft, and marine commandos to secure the ship. An Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft also delivered additional troops to the scene.
A Puntland Maritime Police Force official stated that Indian forces captured 12 suspected Somali pirates. The suspects had their mobile phones confiscated and were disarmed before being released. They later arrived on land at Bandar Bayla with two Somali security guards. Three individuals sustained minor injuries, though the official did not specify which group the injured belonged to.
The Indian ministry reported that the operation ended without casualties or injuries. This account did not clarify if the count included the security guards or just the rescued crew. It was also unclear if the crew remained aboard the Azini or were transported elsewhere after the rescue.
Regional authorities in Puntland learned of the successful mission only after it had been completed. The Azini had been carrying 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali guards at the time of the hijacking, according to a Puntland maritime police officer. The discrepancy between the initial headcount and the number of rescued crew members has not been explained.
The hijacking reflects a rise in Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean. Since April, pirates have seized six commercial vessels. In September, security forces recovered the tanker MT Honour 25 after pirates killed five of its crew members. Authorities detained 16 suspected pirates in that separate incident.
Shipping risks in the region have increased due to the Iran war and Houthi threats against Saudi-linked vessels. These disruptions have forced some oil shipments to divert around Africa, extending voyages by up to a month and raising tanker costs.
Source: WYPR
