Four Pakistani crew members injured in firing by the Somali pirates are expected to reach Karachi early Sunday morning.
When will the injured Pakistanis be brought back?
The injured Pakistanis are scheduled to arrive in Karachi at around 5 AM. Arrangements have been completed for their return through Ethiopian Airlines.
The four Pakistanis will leave Addis Ababa airport at around 10 PM on Saturday night.
When will the bodies be brought back?
The bodies of three Pakistanis who were killed in the firing may also be brought back to Pakistan along with the injured crew members.
A delegation from the Pakistani mission in Somalia will also travel with the injured Pakistanis.
The Somali force had launched an operation against pirates who hijacked the oil tanker Honour 25. Five crew members were killed during the operation.
The deceased crew members included three Pakistanis, one Indian and one Myanmar national.
Foreign Office expresses condolences
Earlier, the Foreign Office (FO) expressed condolences over the deaths of three Pakistani nationals during an operation to recover the MT Honour 25 oil tanker.
In the statement, the FO said: “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.”
“Among those who lost their lives are three Pakistani nationals: Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.”
“The injured have been taken to a nearby hospital and are receiving medical care,” it added.
The FO said that Pakistan’s team at the Embassy in Djibouti was travelling to Bandar Beyla to help the affected Pakistani nationals.
The FO said it was in close contact with Somali authorities and other relevant officials through its missions.
It added that all possible steps were being taken to provide medical care to the injured, bring back the bodies of those who died and ensure the safe return of the Pakistani crew members who survived.
Meanwhile, the Puntland Maritime Police Force said its naval and ground units carried out a planned operation in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district on Tuesday.
