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

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


Maha Mussadaq April 13, 2011

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 13th, 2011.

COMMENTS (8)

Hira | 12 years ago | Reply Listen people, we should have a balanced approach. What is right should always be appreciated but at the same time, what is wrong must be strongly condemned. Whatsoever, the danish have rescued our people and have become the source of providing a new life to the hostages and their families.That is highly appreciable to value human life as in our religion it is clearly said to save one person means saving the whole humanity. BUT at the same time please donot devalue yourself and your religion so much that for this, u are ready to take your righteous protest back. I condemn their action of blasphemy today, as strongly as we did before. For this is also a part of human values to respect other peoples faith and religion. If any nation claims to be more cultured and civilized, it should prove so, through its actions. We muslims might not be good practical muslims, but u will never see any muslim abusing any other religion. Because Islam teaches us to respect other faiths too. So its a very kind gesture on their part to save our people on humanitarian grounds , and at the same time a very shameful and disrespectful act of disgracing others religion. It doesnt suit their great democracy. We are thankful to them for their kindness and help, And they should be sorry for their rudeness.
Hedgefunder | 12 years ago | Reply @Kamran: Wake up!! Where was Pakistan Navy ??? In regards to your stupid comment " crime is crime " Well its not a crime in Denmark to shout abuse or post posters of their leaders or their families!!! It is still a crime the way the minorities are treated in the Land of Pure!!!! What one has to understand is that there is actual Democracy in Denmark, not some bloody drama like it is in Pakistan!!!!
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