Indian navy rescues 20 crew from hijacked Iranian fishing boat

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 15:39 · Archive

Indian naval forces rescued an Iranian fishing boat and its 20 crew members hijacked off Somalia after a more than 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea.

Indian naval forces rescued the Iranian fishing boat Azini and its crew of 20 after a more than 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea, more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai, according to India's Defence Ministry. The vessel was hijacked on 29 October between Bandar Bayla and Hafun off Somalia. The operation followed a resurgence of Somali piracy across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.

Indian forces tracked the vessel by sea and air before securing it. The operation involved a warship, a maritime surveillance aircraft and marine commandos. An Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft airdropped additional commandos to the scene. Defence Ministry officials said there had been concern that pirates could use the boat as a floating base for attacks on commercial ships.

A Puntland Maritime Police Force official told the Associated Press that Indian forces disarmed 12 suspected Somali pirates, confiscated their mobile phones and released them. The suspects and two Somali security guards came ashore at Bandar Bayla in northeastern Somalia. Three of those who came ashore had minor injuries. India's Defence Ministry said the operation ended without casualties or injuries among those rescued, though it was unclear whether this account covered everyone aboard or only the rescued crew.

How it is being reported

• Indian navy rescues 20 crew from Iranian fishing boat hijacked off SomaliaIndian naval forces rescued the Iranian fishing boat Azini and its 20 crew members in the Arabian Sea, disarming 12 suspected Somali pirates.New York Post · 3 Nov, 15:22
• Indian navy rescues 20 crew from Iranian fishing boat hijacked off Somaliahe operation involved a warship, a maritime surveillance aircraft and marine commandos. The hijacking followed a resurgence of Somali piracy across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.NPR · 3 Nov, 14:13

In this story: Indian navy · Somalia · Azini · Arabian Sea · Puntland Maritime Police Force · Mumbai

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log