From: Arif Khan <arif12@verizon.net>
----- Original Message -----From: S Turkman
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Danish navy rescues 16 Pakistanis, 2 Iranians from Somali pirates
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN : Eighteen kidnapped crew members - 16 Pakistanis and 2 Iranians - were rescued from Somali pirates by Danish navy forces on Wednesday, after one year being held hostage, officials said.
The Danish Navy conducted an anti-piracy operation, rescuing the men and taking them to their original vessels before returning to their native countries. During the operation, fifteen Somali pirates were arrested and are currently being held in custody the Danish vessel Esbern Snare.
Danish Navy spokesperson Kenneth Nielson told Pakistan's Express Tribune that navy forces, which form part of Nato's counter-piracy force, also seized weapons and arms from the pirates.
The operation was a result of a Danish Navy counter-attack off the Somali coast, as Somali pirates first attacked a rescue team on April 2. During the operation, navy forces successfully conquered the Iranian fishing boat, which was being used by the pirates as a mother-ship. Further legal prosecution is being considered as the case is being turned in to an attorney at international court.
A series of vessels resulted in the capture of the crew members last year, and as companies negotiated with Somali pirates without success, last month, pirates had demanded a USD 20 million ransom, threatening to kill four Pakistani hostages.
In recent years, Somali pirates have hijacked hundreds of ships, taking in hundreds of millions of dollars in ransom, but hostages are usually treated well and released in healthy conditions after a ransom is paid. Ships are patrolling the shipping lanes near Somalia in an effort to reduce hijackings, but the anti-piracy force has warned that attacks are likely to continue.
According to a recent study, maritime piracy cost the global economy up to USD 12 billion last year, with Somalia-based pirates responsible for 95 percent of the costs.
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