Somali pirates kill three Pakistanis during rescue operation

Two Pakistani crew members who survived, identified as Hussain Yousuf and Imran Ali, contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust office in Karachi using the ship captain’s mobile phone and provided details of the incident.According to the survivors, Somali and Puntland authorities launched a joint operation on Tuesday to free the Honour 25 crew from the pirates.

An exchange of fire took place between Somali security forces and the pirates during the operation.Qurrat-ul-Ain, an advocate and director of the Ansar Burney Trust, said the crew members had spent around four and a half months in captivity after being abducted by Somali pirates.The crew comprised 17 members, including 10 Pakistanis.

The pirates had initially demanded a ransom of $3 million for their release, which was subsequently reduced to $1.9 million and eventually $1 million.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of seafarers caught in pirate attacks and hostage situations off the Somali coast.The Pakistani sailors said the pirates opened indiscriminate fire on the abducted crew members when they came under pressure and began retreating.

The pirates subsequently fled the scene.

Somali pirates kill three Pakistanis during rescue operation Updated 7 minutes ago.