Puntland Forces Recover Hijacked Tanker, Capture 16 Suspects

Puntland authorities say security forces recovered the Palau-flagged tanker MT Honour 25 and captured suspected pirates after the vessel was hijacked off Puntland in April. The region’s Information Ministry said pirates killed five crew members and wounded four before the rescue operation. The reported casualties have not been independently confirmed in the available accounts. The tanker was seized on April 21, 2026, about 30 nautical miles off Puntland’s coast, according to reports citing authorities. Puntland officials said it had 17 crew members. The ministry identified the reported dead as three Pakistanis, one Indian and one Myanmar national, and said the four wounded included three Pakistanis and one Indian. The Puntland Maritime Police Force said naval and ground units took part in a planned operation in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district. Authorities said the vessel was safe and under government control. The ministry reported that 16 suspected pirates were captured; maritime police said efforts to locate others involved were continuing. The official casualty account remains difficult for some families to verify.