Released at last: 16 Pakistanis rescued from Somali pirates’ custody

Freed by the Danish Navy in counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia.

ISLAMABAD:

A total of sixteen Pakistanis, who have been in the custody of Somali pirates for the last one year, have been rescued by the Danish navy in a counter-piracy operation, and are being taken to their original vessel, according to the Danish Navy spokesperson Kenneth Nielsen.

Along with the Pakistanis, two Iranians were also rescued by the Danish navy in the operation. The rescued men will be sent back to their countries of origin soon, the spokesperson added. Fifteen Somali pirates have also been arrested and are held in custody aboard the Esbern Snare – the Danish vessel that is part of Nato’s counter-piracy force, said Nielsen, adding that three injured pirates are being treated by doctors.

The Danish navy also recovered weapons and arms from the pirates, Nielsen added.

No decision has been taken about the future of the hostages and legal prosecution is under consideration, said Nielsen. The case has already been handed over to the attorney of special international crime, he added.

The rescued Pakistanis have contacted their families and are safely on their way back home, the captain of the Danish vessel added.

On April 2, the Danish Navy’s rescue team was attacked by pirates, prompting a counter-attack by the rescue team.

The encounter happened off Somalia’s coast and the rescue team was able to conquer the Iranian fishing boat that the pirates used as a mother-ship. The rescue operation was backed by aircraft support.

According to a statement issued by the Danish Embassy, four Pakistanis were onboard an Egyptian vessel that was captured by Somali pirates last year. Another ship from Malaysia carrying five Pakistanis was hijacked by the pirates on November 26, 2010 while two more Pakistanis were among hostages of a hijacked ship belonging to the UAE on March 26, 2010.

The companies that owned these ships had been negotiating with the pirates to release their crew members, without any success.

In March 2011, the pirates sent out a threat to kill four Pakistani hostages if $20 million was not paid to them in ransom by mid-March.

In the past year, Somali pirates have been responsible for numerous cases of kidnappings involving official crew members of international vessels and families travelling on cruise ships.

The frequent kidnappings prompted formation of a global force to take action against piracy on the high seas.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2011.