An Iranian fishing vessel seized off Puntland’s coast was recovered after a 48-hour Indian naval operation more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai, underscoring the continued reach of pirate networks operating in the Indian Ocean.

Mogadishu, Mumbai (WDN) -India has announced the rescue of an Iranian fishing vessel, the Azini, which had been hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off the coast of Puntland in the Indian Ocean.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian Navy carried out a 48-hour operation to free the vessel and rescue its 20 crew members. In a statement posted on his X account, Singh also announced the capture of nearly 10 suspected pirates involved in the hijacking.

According to the minister, the vessel was intercepted near the Arabian Sea, more than 3,000 kilometres from Mumbai — a distance that highlights the considerable operational reach of pirate groups targeting commercial and fishing vessels across the region.

The Azini, which is Iranian-owned, was reportedly seized by the pirates, who used other vessels in the operation. Indian naval forces subsequently intervened, recovered the fishing vessel and apprehended those suspected of carrying out the hijacking.

The incident offers a stark reminder that piracy off Somalia’s coast is not necessarily confined to nearby waters. The ability of pirate groups to seize a vessel and operate far into the Indian Ocean demonstrates the geographical reach of the threat and the challenges facing regional maritime security forces.

Although international naval patrols have significantly constrained piracy in recent years, the hijacking of the Azini shows that the threat has not disappeared. Pirate networks can still exploit the vastness of the Indian Ocean, vulnerable fishing vessels and gaps in maritime surveillance to extend their operations well beyond Somalia’s immediate coastline.

The successful Indian operation prevented the hijacking from continuing and secured the release of all 20 crew members. But it also raises a broader security concern: containing piracy requires sustained cooperation among regional governments, naval forces and international partners, as well as stronger surveillance and enforcement along vulnerable maritime routes.

The message is clear: Somali piracy may have been reduced, but it has not been eliminated. Its ability to reach far into the Indian Ocean remains a serious concern for maritime security across the region.

WardheerNews