New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Friday successfully rescued an Iranian ship that had been hijacked, along with its crew comprising 23 Pakistani citizens, in the Arabian Sea.

A video released by the Navy showed the Pakistani crew aboard the vessel, named FV AI Kambar 786, chanting 'India Zindabad' (Long Live India) and thanking the Indian Navy.

The anti-piracy operation continued for 12 hours.

"#INSSumedha intercepted FV Al-Kambar during early hours of #29Mar 24 & was joined subsequently by the guided missile frigate #INSTrishul," the Indian Navy posted on X.

"After more than 12 hrs of intense coercive tactical measures as per the SOPs, the pirates on board the hijacked FV were forced to surrender," the post said.

The Indian Navy said all 23 Pakistani crew members of the ship were rescued safely.

"Indian Naval specialist teams are presently undertaking thorough sanitisation & seaworthiness checks of the FV in order to escort her to a safe area for resuming normal fishing activities," the post said.

In a statement, the Navy confirmed the arrest of the nine armed pirates involved in the hijacking of the ship. They are currently being brought to India for legal proceedings as per the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022.

In recent months, the Indian Navy has intensified vigilance due to an increase in attacks on merchant ships close to the Gulf of Aden.

The Indian Navy rescued the Liberian-flagged ship MV Lila Norfolk off the Somalian coast on January 5 after it was hijacked by pirates.