Puntland maritime forces have reportedly regained control of hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25, while unconfirmed reports say five crew members, including three Pakistanis, were killed during the operation.
Reports have emerged that Puntland maritime forces have regained control of the hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25, which had remained in the custody of Somali pirates since April 21.
The Puntland Maritime Police Force reportedly carried out an operation off Somalia’s coast to recover the vessel after more than five months in captivity. Maritime reporting citing the force said the tanker had been successfully rescued.
However, conflicting and still-unverified reports have emerged regarding casualties during the operation.
According to the Ansar Burney Trust, recordings attributed to crew members indicated that five hostages were killed and four others injured during the operation. The trust said those reportedly killed included three Pakistani nationals, one Indian and one Myanmar citizen.
The reported casualty figures have not yet been independently or officially confirmed.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said its mission in Djibouti, which is also accredited to Somalia, had received unconfirmed reports about the vessel’s release and was contacting relevant authorities to establish the facts.
MT Honour 25 was hijacked near Somalia’s Puntland region on April 21 with 17 crew members aboard, including 10 Pakistanis. Pakistan had since been pursuing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts with Somali authorities to secure their release.
Further clarity on the condition of the surviving crew members and the reported casualties is expected once Pakistani and Puntland authorities issue official confirmation.