Three Pakistani sailors killed in Somali pirate rescue operation

KARACHI: Three Pakistani sailors were among five crew members killed after Somali pirates opened fire on hostages while escaping during a security operation to free the crew of the hijacked vessel Honour 25, according to survivors and the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust.

Four other sailors were injured in the incident, including three Pakistanis, while several crew members remained safe.

Surviving Pakistani sailors Hussain Yousuf and Imran Ali contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust in Karachi using the captain’s mobile phone and shared details of the attack.

According to the survivors, Somali authorities and security forces from the semi-autonomous Puntland region launched a joint operation on Tuesday to rescue the hostages. A gunfight broke out between the security forces and the pirates during the operation.

The pirates reportedly came under pressure and began retreating. Before leaving the vessel, they allegedly fired indiscriminately at the abducted crew members.

Ansar Burney Trust Director Advocate Qurat-ul-Ain said the attack occurred at a considerable distance from the shore. She said the pirates also damaged the steering system of the Honour 25 while fleeing, leaving the vessel unable to operate independently.

A Somali naval vessel that participated in the operation is now towing the damaged ship towards the shore. The journey is expected to take at least two days.

Qurat-ul-Ain said Pakistani authorities and the Ministry of Human Rights had been informed about the incident.

The Pakistani sailors killed were identified as Second Officer Kashif Umar, Third Engineer Mahmood Ansari and Boiler Rafiullah. An Indian crew member, Tanveer, and the vessel’s chief engineer from Myanmar were also killed.

The injured crew members were identified as Usman, Aqeel, Ameen and Vicky, all from Indonesia. Yasir Khan, Hussain Yousuf, Imran Ali and Yaseen were reported safe.

All the Pakistani sailors who were killed or injured were from different parts of Karachi. Their families had spent months campaigning for their safe release and repeatedly appealed to the government for assistance.

The Honour 25, an oil tanker sailing from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by Somali pirates on April 21. The vessel was carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals.

The pirates initially demanded a ransom of $3 million for the hostages. The amount was later reduced to $1.9 million and eventually to $1 million.