Pakistan arranges return of citizens killed in Somalia tanker rescue

Pakistan has begun arrangements to repatriate the remains of three nationals killed during the Somalia tanker rescue, in which security forces retook a vessel hijacked by pirates.

Four rescued Pakistani crew members are also preparing to return home. The remains reached Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday.

When will the bodies of the Pakistani crew return home?

The remains of Syed Kashif Umar, Ahmed Ansari and Rafi Ullah are in Addis Ababa and are being prepared for onward transport to Karachi, the Prime Minister's Office said. Ethiopian Airlines staff are inspecting the coffins and completing formalities before final clearance. No arrival date for the remains has been announced.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to coordinate with relevant agencies and complete the process as quickly as possible. He also spoke by telephone on Friday with Azhan Kashif, the son of the late Syed Kashif Umar, and offered his condolences. Sharif assured the family that the government would make every effort to bring back his father's remains, along with those of the other Pakistani nationals.

What happened during the Somalia tanker rescue?

The deaths occurred during an operation by Puntland security forces to retake the Palau-flagged tanker MT Honour 25, which pirates had seized off Somalia in April. Somali authorities and Pakistan's Foreign Office said five crew members were killed, including three Pakistanis. Puntland authorities said their forces secured the tanker on Tuesday and detained suspected pirates.

The vessel was seized on April 21, about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Puntland. It was carrying about 18,500 barrels of oil and had 10 Pakistani crew members among those aboard. The pirates had demanded a $3 million ransom for the crew's release.

When will the rescued Pakistani crew arrive in Karachi?

Four Pakistani crew members who survived the ordeal have been rescued and are expected to arrive in Karachi on Oct. 3, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday. Dar attributed their safe recovery to sustained diplomatic efforts by Pakistan.

What were conditions like for the hijacked crew?

The months-long captivity took a heavy toll on the crew, according to relatives and rights groups. They reported severe shortages of clean drinking water, with some hostages forced to rely on contaminated tank water and survive on a single meal of boiled rice a day. Several crew members were also reported to have suffered stress-related illnesses and lacked access to essential medication.

A video released during the captivity showed 17 crew members appearing distressed. Relatives also said children of some of the hostages experienced anxiety and panic attacks. The prolonged ordeal prompted repeated demonstrations by relatives in Karachi, who called on the government to intensify diplomatic and rescue efforts.