Nairobi: Security forces from Somalia's semiautonomous Puntland region stormed a hijacked cargo vessel early yesterday and outgunned the pirates holding it after they fatally shot the ship's Pakistani captain, authorities said.
World | Other World Stories
Security forces free hijacked vessel after captain's death
All seven pirates detained following shootout on board the Panama-flagged ship after they refused to surrender
- AP
- Published: 00:00 June 4, 2010
Authorities decided to try and free the Panama-flagged ship by force after pirates refused pleas to surrender and instead killed the captain, said Saeed Mohammad Raage, who is the minister of marine transport and ports in the region.
"We can't afford letting pirates capture Somali-charted ships. If we don't act so decisively, they will continue hijacking all Somali-bound cargo ships," Raage said.
Two officers were wounded during a brief shootout with the pirates and ultimately all seven pirates were detained, he said.
While rescue operations by Somali security forces are rare, it's not the first time they have tried to free a ship. In 2008, they stormed a hijacked ship carrying food to the war-ravaged, poor country, rescuing the hostages and arresting seven pirates.
The QSM Dubai was hijacked early on Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden while headed for a port in the breakaway northern region of Somaliland. The crew aboard the ship hailed from Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana. It had sailed from Brazil and carried goods for both Somaliland and Puntland regions.
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Three drown in Dubai and Ajman
Police warn swimmers to check conditions before entering the water
-
Scramble to help Indians workers in Saudi Arabia
External Affairs Minister Khurshid in Jeddah to help over 55,000 workers
-
Arranged marriages rejected by Bihar brides
Empowered girls saying no to 'unsuitable' grooms in social revolution