India rescues 20 fishermen off coast of Somalia
The Indian Navy has freed the 20-member crew of a fishing vessel hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
Operativ Media reports, citing the ANI news agency, that a warship, a reconnaissance aircraft, and special forces took part in the operation, which lasted more than two days. Commandos parachuted from a C-17 military transport aircraft onto the hijacked trawler "Azini".
All 20 hostages were freed as a result of the operation. Neither the fishermen nor the Indian service members were injured during the incident.
According to reports, the pirates planned to use the vessel, seized in October, as a floating base to launch attacks on merchant ships.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the operation demonstrated India's commitment to ensuring safe and unhindered commercial shipping in the Indian Ocean.
