KARACHI: Three Pakistani sailors were among five crew members killed after Somali pirates opened fire on the abducted crew of the oil tanker Honour 25 as they attempted to escape during a rescue operation, according to survivors and the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust.
Four other crew members were wounded in the incident, including three Pakistanis, after Somali security forces and authorities in the semi-autonomous Puntland region launched an operation to secure the release of the hostages.
Surviving Pakistani sailors Hussain Yousuf and Imran Ali contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust in Karachi using the captain’s mobile phone and provided details of the attack.
According to their account, Somali forces engaged the pirates in an exchange of fire while attempting to free the hostages. As the pirates came under pressure and began retreating, they allegedly fired indiscriminately at the captive crew before fleeing the vessel.
Ansar Burney Trust Director Advocate Qurat-ul-Ain said the incident occurred far from the shoreline. She said the pirates also damaged the steering mechanism of the Honour 25 while escaping, leaving the vessel unable to operate independently.
A Somali naval vessel involved in the operation is now towing the tanker towards the coast. The journey is expected to take at least two days, according to the welfare organisation.
Qurat-ul-Ain said the Pakistani government and the Ministry of Human Rights had been informed about the developments.
The Pakistani sailors killed in the attack were identified as Second Officer Kashif Umar, Third Engineer Mahmood Ansari and Boiler Rafiullah. An Indian crew member identified as Tanveer and the chief engineer from Myanmar were also killed.
The injured crew members were identified as Usman, Aqeel, Ameen and Vicky, who is from Indonesia. Yasir Khan, Hussain Yousuf, Imran Ali and Yaseen were reported to be safe.
All the Pakistani sailors killed or injured in the incident are from different parts of Karachi. Their families had spent months campaigning for their safe return, holding peaceful demonstrations and repeatedly contacting government authorities.
The Honour 25, an oil tanker sailing under the Somali flag, was hijacked on April 21 while travelling from Oman towards Somalia. The vessel was carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals.
The families of the Pakistani sailors had repeatedly appealed for government intervention during their captivity. The pirates initially demanded a ransom of $3 million, which was later lowered to $1.9 million and eventually to $1 million.
The latest incident comes amid renewed concerns over piracy along the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden. International Maritime Organisation figures indicate that at least 15 piracy-related attacks have been recorded this year, making 2026 the most active year for such incidents in the region since 2013.
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