Somali Pirates Kill Three Pakistanis During Operation to Retake oil tanker
Ten Pakistani nationals were among the crew members aboard the tanker.
Somalia’s maritime police have retaken the hijacked oil tanker MT Honor 25 from pirates, with five crew members, including three Pakistanis, killed during the operation.
According to the Ansar Burney Trust, Somali pirates opened fire during the operation, killing three Pakistani nationals, one Indian and one Myanmar national. Four Pakistani crew members were also injured in the firing.
Somali authorities earlier said that five crew members of the Honor 25 had been killed by pirates in Puntland, while security forces arrested nine suspected pirates during the operation.
In a statement, the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) said its personnel stormed MT Honor 25 and rescued 17 crew members.
According to the police, naval and ground forces carried out the planned operation in the Dharin Bar area of Bandar Beyla district in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region.
The Palau-flagged oil tanker had been hijacked in April while transporting fuel for Somali traders. At the time of the hijacking, Honor 25 was carrying around 18,500 barrels of oil.
Ten Pakistani nationals were among the crew members aboard the tanker.
