Five foreign crew members were killed aboard the MT Honer 25 before Puntland maritime forces launched an operation to rescue the vessel, which had been forcibly seized by pirates.
According to Puntland authorities, the deceased crew members included three nationals of Pakistan, one from Myanmar, and one from India. Four other crew members were wounded in the attack; three are Pakistani and one is Indian.
Puntland maritime forces reported that they concluded the rescue operation within a few hours; the vessel is now secure and under the control of the PMPF (Puntland Maritime Police Force).
During the operation, forces captured 16 pirates, while other members who fled the scene remain the subject of an ongoing manhunt.
Puntland stated that it possesses information regarding the whereabouts of the fugitives, and operations to apprehend them are currently underway.
Puntland affirmed that it would continue its anti-piracy operations, with forces remaining on high alert to apprehend anyone involved in acts of piracy. Puntland also stated that legal action will be taken against anyone found to be involved in acts of piracy.