India, Nov. 3 -- The Indian Navy coordinated a 48-hour operation to rescue all 20 crew members of Iranian fishing vessel Azini on Monday, officials said. It was seized by Somali pirates on October 29.

The operation was carried out 3,000 km from Mumbai in the Arabian Sea, the officials said.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the navy for the "meticulously coordinated operation."

"The swift localisation, interception and safe release of the crew and vessel from significantly-armed pirates, with timely support from the Indian Air Force, speak well of the Indian Navy's high operational readiness and ability to respond decisively to maritime threats across the region," Singh wrote on X.

The Azini was hijacked between the coastal...