Indian Navy Rescues 20 Crew From Iranian Vessel Hijacked by Somali Pirates
The rescue of the Azini ends a 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea, but earlier reports of 23 people aboard leave an unresolved discrepancy in the crew count.
By Hushread Stories, from 15 outlets · First published 3 Nov 2026
In brief
- The Indian Navy rescued 20 crew members from the Iranian fishing vessel Azini after Somali pirates hijacked it.
- The operation lasted 48 hours in the Arabian Sea, more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai.
- The Navy located and intercepted the vessel, with Air Force support during the coordinated rescue operation.
- All 20 rescued crew members are reported safe, and Iran has thanked India for securing their release.
- Earlier reports listed 23 people aboard, and the supplied coverage does not explain the difference in numbers.
Timeline · 5 moments
Iran thanks India for rescuing the vessel's crew
Rediff ↗Singh details 48-hour operation far from Mumbai
Times now ↗Navy intercepts Azini and secures crew members' release
NDTV India ↗Initial account identifies Iranian fishermen and Somali guards
Mehr News (English) ↗Seizure warning raises concern over nearby commercial shipping
South China Morning Post ↗How it started
Somali pirates seized an Iranian fishing vessel near Somalia's northeastern coast. On November 1, South China Morning Post reported that the European Union's Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean had put the number aboard at 23.
The centre warned that the vessel was approaching a commercial shipping lane, raising concern about possible attacks on cargo ships. A November 2 report by Mehr News (English) described those aboard as 21 Iranian fishermen and two Somali guards.
How it unfolded
By November 2, RT en Español - Noticias had identified the seized fishing vessel as the Azini, reporting that armed pirates had captured it off Somalia's northeastern coast.
The rescue was completed on November 2, according to NDTV India. The outlet reported that the Indian Navy located and intercepted the vessel and secured the crew's safe release from heavily armed pirates.
On November 3, Times now reported Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's account of a 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea, more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai. He said all 20 crew members had been rescued.
The operation used surveillance and a coordinated tactical response supported by the Air Force, according to Mint. The Hindu also reported coordination between the Navy and Air Force.
Where it stands
All 20 rescued crew members are safe, according to Business Line - Home. Iran has thanked India for the rescue, Rediff reported on November 3.
The crew counts in the coverage do not match. The initial seizure reports described 23 people aboard, while the rescue reports describe all 20 crew members as freed. The supplied reports do not explain that difference, so they do not establish that three people remain missing or captive.
What to watch
The main unresolved point is the number of people aboard the Azini. Clarification is needed to reconcile the initial account of 21 Iranian fishermen and two Somali guards with the later reports of 20 rescued crew members. The supplied coverage also does not establish what happened to the pirates.
More in World
All →
French Students Resume School Blockades Ahead of Nationwide Strike Over Living Costs
Students are keeping pressure on the government despite education concessions, as unions prepare a November 5 strike after a third weekend of mass protests and scattered violence.
54 sources · over 10 days
Nine killed as Learjet crashes in Florida's Palm Beach County
All nine people aboard a private jet died when it crashed in a Palm Beach County neighborhood, with the cause and extent of damage on the ground still unclear.
61 sources · over 2 days
High-Speed Train Collision Near Toledo Kills at Least 69
At least 69 people died and more than 100 were injured in Wednesday's collision near Urda, as rescue and identification efforts continued.
86 sources · over 7 days