The Indian Navy has successfully rescued a hijacked fishing vessel, Azini, from armed pirates off the northeastern coast of Somalia in an operation lasting more than 48 hours, ensuring the safe release of all 20 crew members without any casualties.
According to the navy, the fishing vessel was hijacked by an armed pirate group earlier last month and was suspected to be used as a "mother ship" to launch further attacks on merchant vessels operating in the region.
Naval forces tracked the vessel and mounted a coordinated operation to retake it, securing the crew unharmed. The pirates were disarmed and taken into custody.
The rescue is the latest in a series of anti-piracy operations in the western Indian Ocean, where attacks on shipping have resurged after years of relative calm. Naval patrols from several countries now escort merchant traffic through the most dangerous stretches.
Shipping industry groups welcomed the operation, saying swift action against hijacked vessels is essential to preventing pirates from using them as floating bases for further attacks.
