Indian navy rescues 20 crew from Iranian fishing boat hijacked off Somalia

Indian naval forces freed an Iranian fishing boat and its 20-member crew after a hijacking off Somalia, according to India’s Defense Ministry. The operation, which lasted more than 48 hours, was completed Monday in the Arabian Sea—over 3,000 kilometers from Mumbai. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the Azini was secured without casualties or injuries, though it was unclear whether the ministry’s report covered everyone aboard. A Puntland Maritime Police official told the AP that Indian forces disarmed 12 suspected Somali pirates, confiscated their mobile phones, and later released them, while three people ashore had minor injuries. The Azini was hijacked Oct. 29 between Bandar Bayla and Hafun.