Four Pakistani sailors returned to Karachi after spending more than five months in captivity aboard an oil tanker hijacked by Somali pirates, while the remains of three Pakistani crew members who died during the ordeal were also repatriated.
Dawn and Arab News identified the returning injured sailors as Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Ameen bin Shams and Usman Ghani. They arrived on an Ethiopian Airlines flight and were taken for medical treatment after landing.
The remains of Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari were also brought to Pakistan. Reports said they died during the period of captivity.
Three more Pakistani sailors were reported to remain aboard the vessel pending company clearance and arrangements for their return. Pakistani authorities said they had overseen the repatriation process for the injured sailors and the deceased crew members.