Four Pakistanis rescued from Somali pirates, will return to Karachi tomorrow
Four Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates have been safely retrieved and are expected to reach Karachi on October 3, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said.
The four sailors have been identified as Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Usman Ghani.
Their return follows months of efforts to secure the release of Pakistani nationals who were among the crew of the MT Honour 25 oil tanker.
Dar said the Foreign Office and Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti played a key role in securing the release and arranging the repatriation of the four sailors. The Foreign Office confirmed that the surviving crew members were moved to Garowe, Somalia, where injured sailors were receiving medical treatment.
Three Pakistanis killed during recovery operation
The development comes after a deadly operation to recover the hijacked tanker from pirates off the coast of Somalia. Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed that three Pakistani nationals were among five crew members killed during the operation.
The Pakistani victims were identified as Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari. The other two crew members killed in the incident were from Myanmar and India, according to Somali authorities.
Pakistan has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Dar also conveyed his condolences and said the government was working to support the affected families.
Efforts under way to bring bodies home
Pakistan is now working to repatriate the bodies of the three Pakistani sailors killed in the incident. The Foreign Office is coordinating with relevant authorities and other countries to complete the process.
The government has said it wants to ensure that the bodies are brought back safely and handed over to their families. The effort is taking place alongside arrangements for the return of the surviving Pakistani crew members.
Three Pakistanis remain part of repatriation efforts
According to Dar, three other Pakistani crew members remain involved in the efforts to bring the affected sailors home safely.
The three are Imran Ali, Yaseen Muhammad and Syed Yusuf Hussain.
Dar said Pakistan remained in contact with friendly countries to facilitate their safe return.
The government is also coordinating with relevant authorities to address the needs of the affected crew members and their families. The Foreign Office said the surviving crew members were brought ashore after the tanker was recovered and were later moved to Garowe.
MT Honour 25 hijacked in April
The MT Honour 25 was hijacked by armed Somali pirates on April 21.
The Palau-flagged tanker had a large Pakistani presence among its crew. Pakistan’s Foreign Office previously said that 10 Pakistanis were aboard the vessel. The tanker remained under pirate control for more than five months before Somali security forces launched an operation to recover it.
Somali maritime police said the tanker was recovered in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district in Puntland. The operation brought an end to the prolonged captivity of the crew but resulted in the deaths of five sailors.
Pirates opened fire during the operation
According to information released by Somali authorities, the pirates opened fire before or during the recovery operation.
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Five crew members were killed, including three Pakistanis, one Indian national and one Myanmar national. Four other crew members were injured.
The incident was one of the most serious recent attacks involving Somali pirates and raised fresh concerns about maritime security in the region. Reuters reported that the deaths were announced by Puntland authorities after security forces recovered the tanker.
Somali forces arrest suspected pirates
Somali security forces also detained suspected pirates during the operation. Authorities in Puntland said the operation resulted in the capture of 16 suspected pirates, while efforts continued against others linked to the hijacking.
The recovery of the tanker was carried out by the Puntland Maritime Police Force and other security units. The operation was aimed at regaining control of the vessel and freeing the crew members held on board.
Pakistan had sought the release of hostages
Pakistan had been working for months to secure the release of its nationals. In August, Dar directed relevant authorities to intensify diplomatic engagement with Somalia and international partners to secure the safe and early release of the Pakistani hostages.
The Foreign Office had also remained in contact with Somali authorities and other stakeholders regarding the condition and release of the crew. Pakistan had repeatedly stressed the need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens held aboard the tanker.
Families await return of their loved ones
The latest development brings relief to the families of the four sailors who are now expected to return home. At the same time, families of the three Pakistanis killed in the incident are awaiting the repatriation of their loved ones.
The government has said it will continue providing support to the affected families. The return of the surviving sailors and the bodies of those who died remains a priority for the Foreign Office.
Somalia faces renewed piracy concerns
The MT Honour 25 incident has also highlighted concerns about a renewed threat from Somali piracy.
Somali pirates had previously caused major disruption to international shipping, particularly between 2008 and 2014. After years of decline, several piracy incidents have again been reported in waters around Somalia.
The recent tanker hijacking has added to concerns over the safety of commercial vessels and their crews operating in the region. The recovery of the MT Honour 25 is therefore significant not only for the affected sailors but also for wider maritime security.
