India Frees the Azini
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Transcript
1. The hijacking
29 October 2026: armed pirates seize the Azini, an Iranian fishing vessel, off the coast of Somalia.
On board are 20 crew, according to the Indian Navy.
2. The alert
The Indian Navy sends the destroyer INS Kolkata. A surveillance aircraft locates and tracks the hijacked vessel.
The Navy feared the pirates could use it as a "mother ship" to attack merchant ships.
3. Inside the C-17
An Indian Air Force C-17 flies out the Navy's elite Marine Commandos, the MARCOS.
4. The drop
In a precision airdrop, the commandos parachute into the sea near the Azini.
5. Boarding
Under cover of darkness, the MARCOS board the vessel.
6. Deck by deck
They search the vessel deck by deck.
7. The bridge
The pirates are overpowered and disarmed. The Navy reports no casualties or injuries.
8. Crew freed
After an operation of more than 48 hours, all 20 crew are safe.
Another mission accomplished by the Indian Navy's MARCOS.