Militant outfits funding Somali pirate, says freed MV Suez hostage

[1]

Prashant Chauhan, who was among the abducted Indian onboard the MV Suez, which was hijacked by Somali pirates, has said that militant outfits might be funding piracy on the high seas.

Talking to reporters after reaching his hometown, Chauhan said that a country's involvement in nurturing piracy cannot be ruled out.

"There are some militant organisations which are funding and providing weapons to them (Somali pirates). They might even be having some share in the hijacking of ships, as they must be charging them money and using them to supply arms. I am sure some country might also be involved in this," he added.

Chauhan thanked Pakistan for helping the sailors reach home, while expressing disappointment with New Delhi in handling their case.

"Pakistan had a big role in the release and we had huge expectations from our government as we thought it would do something as our country is so big and the issue is international. But we were very disappointed. We did not have any hope from Pakistan but I am immensely grateful for the efforts made by their governor and the help rendered by the Pakistan Navy to send us safely till here," said Chauhan.

He called his experience a nightmare, which he would like to forget.

"It is difficult to believe that they have released us. I feel so happy. I have waited for months for this moment to return home and reunite with the family. I even thought that they will kill us all," he added.

The six sailors, of the Egyptian-owned ship MV Suez, were held captive by Somali pirates for almost a year.

Earlier this week, the crew was transferred to Pakistani naval ship PNS Zulfiqar from the PNS Babar.

The Pakistan Navy had launched the Operation Umeed-e-Nuh (New Hope) to rescue the crew after MV Suez captain Wasi Hasan requested the evacuation of his crew to save their lives.

On June 17, the ship's fuel was exhausted while it was 100 nautical miles short of the Omani port of Salalah.

A tug was arranged for towing the vessel to Salalah, but it too developed a defect and the towing plan was abandoned. There were other hiccups, but they were sorted out.