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Indian Navy frees hijacked vessel Azini

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The coordinated operation brought together maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a frontline warship to track the hijacked vessel and limit its movement using calibrated non-kinetic measures. A joint assault was subsequently launched when an Indian Air Force C-17 conducted a precision airdrop of Marine Commandos into the area. These elite commandos and naval personnel boarded the boat to secure it and free all 20 crew members. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the forces involved, emphasizing the mission's role in reinforcing security across the Indian Ocean Region.

Key points

  • Armed piracy threats were effectively neutralized through a combined air and naval assaul…: Armed piracy threats were effectively neutralized through a combined air and naval assault operation.
  • India demonstrated joint operational preparedness between its Navy and Air Force to resol…: India demonstrated joint operational preparedness between its Navy and Air Force to resolve high-seas hijackings.
  • The successful mission prevents the targeted vessel from being repurposed to launch addit…: The successful mission prevents the targeted vessel from being repurposed to launch additional maritime strikes against merchant shipping.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

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The vessel had reportedly been hijacked by an armed pirate group off the northeastern coast of Somalia earlier last month. The Navy said the hijacked fishing boat could potentially have been used as a mother ship to launch further pirate attacks against merchant vessels in the region, posing a wider maritime security threat.

In response, the Navy deployed a warship to intercept the vessel, supported by an aircraft tasked with maritime reconnaissance. The platforms maintained surveillance, tracked the fishing boat's movements and used calibrated non-kinetic measures to restrict its movement and prevent it from escaping.

The operation was further strengthened by the deployment of Marine Commandos through a precision airdrop carried out by an IAF C-17 aircraft. The commandos and other Navy personnel then secured the vessel, neutralised the pirate threat and ensured the safe release of all 20 crew members.

Rajnath Singh praises Navy and Air Force for Azini rescue operation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Navy on the successful mission in a post on X. He said the operation involved…

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