Three Pakistanis killed in Somalia tanker rescue operation, FO confirms

Pakistan's Foreign Office confirmed on Wednesday that three Pakistanis were among five crew members killed during an operation to recover the hijacked tanker MT Honour 25 off Somalia. Puntland forces retook the vessel from Somali pirates on Tuesday.

Who were the Pakistanis killed in the Somalia tanker operation?

The three Pakistani nationals killed were Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari, the Foreign Office said. Four other crew members were injured, including three Pakistanis. The survivors were brought ashore at Bandar Beyla, Somalia, and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

" Pakistan is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of five crew members during the operation to recover the hijacked vessel, MT Honour 25, off the coast of Somalia," the Foreign Office said. Pakistan's team at the Embassy in Djibouti was proceeding to Bandar Beyla to assist the Pakistani nationals.

The government remained in close contact with Somali authorities and other stakeholders through its diplomatic mission. Every possible effort was being made to ensure proper medical care for the injured, facilitate the transport of the remains and secure the safe return of surviving Pakistani crew members.

What happened during the MT Honour 25 recovery operation?

Reports emerged a day earlier that Puntland security forces had recovered the tanker from Somali pirates. Pakistan initially sought confirmation of the vessel's recovery and the casualties while the operation was underway.

The Puntland Maritime Police Force said its naval and ground units conducted a planned operation in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district and took control of the vessel. "The naval and ground units of the Puntland Maritime Police Force conducted a planned operation in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district," police said in a statement. Suspected pirates were detained.

Puntland authorities said the five crew members had been killed before the security operation began. Earlier accounts from survivors and the Ansar Burney Trust described gunfire during the operation, leaving some uncertainty over when and how the crew members died.

How was the MT Honour 25 hijacked?

Armed Somali pirates seized the Palau-flagged tanker on April 21, about 30 nautical miles off Puntland. Puntland police said the vessel was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil. The pirates demanded a $3 million ransom for the crew's release.

The Ansar Burney Trust said it received the demand through WhatsApp on May 18 from the group's leader, nearly four weeks after the hijacking. Relatives and rights groups reported dire conditions aboard during the months of captivity.

Crew members faced severe shortages of clean drinking water and were reportedly forced to survive on contaminated tank water and one meal of boiled rice a day. Several hostages were also said to be suffering from stress-related illnesses and lacked access to essential medication.

Families of Pakistani crew members in Karachi staged repeated demonstrations, urging authorities to intensify diplomatic and rescue efforts. A previously released video showed all 17 crew members appearing visibly distressed. Children of some crew members also experienced anxiety and panic attacks since the hijacking.

Is Somali piracy on the rise?

The incident comes amid signs of a resurgence in Somali piracy, with at least 15 attacks reported since April, the highest number since 2013. Puntland authorities have faced criticism over their response to a new pirate network active in the region this year.

Security forces had been pursuing three hijacked vessels off the Somali coast in recent days. They rescued another oil tanker, the Sibu 1, on Friday. However, 28 of 41 pirates arrested during that operation later escaped while being transferred to jail. Several Puntland security officials accused local police of complicity in the escape.