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The vessel Absalon received information from the Navy Operational Command, reporting the suspected pirate ship. After warning shots and tear gas shells were fired, the vessel was quickly brought to a halt and the Navy Maritime Action Team took control of the ship. Subsequently, it was found that the Tahari’s original crew of nine Pakistanis and five Iranian nationals were on board and had been held hostage by 25 suspected pirates since November 2011.
“We are extremely glad to know that innocent people have been liberated. One cannot even imagine what ordeal these innocent sailors must have been through while trying to do their best to earn a living,” said the Danish Ambassador to Pakistan, Uffe Wolffhechel.
He further added that in the past year, the Somali pirates have been responsible for numerous kidnapping cases of official crewmembers from companies around the world, including several Pakistani nationals. “Their criminal activities have become of high concern among the international community and calls for concerted, global action against piracy on the high seas,” said the ambassador.
The crew members of the Danish Navy Vessel have been on board on the Tahari since the action and have reported that the ship is in good condition. It is expected that the 14 rescued crew members will return to Iran with the Tahari.
The vessel was hijacked between November 7 and 10, 2011. Nobody was injured during the operation. It appears that the hostages have been subjected to rough treatment by the pirates but, bearing in mind the circumstances, are now in good shape.
In April 2011, another Danish Navy vessel, Esbern Snare rescued 16 Pakistanis, who had been kept hostage by Somali pirates for several months before they were rescued.
from http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=11702&Cat=13
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