Pakistani victims of Somalia tanker operation due in Karachi today

Four Pakistani nationals injured during a security operation by Somali forces to free a hijacked oil tanker crew from pirates, as well as the remains of three others killed in the operation, are due to arrive in Karachi later today following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The four injured — Usman Ghani, Aqeel Khan, Ameen bin Shams and Yasir Khan — have departed Addis Ababa for Karachi on a private airline flight.

The same flight is also carrying the remains of Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umar and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari, who were killed in the operation.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Atif Aziz and Ambassador to Djibouti Aqsa Nawaz saw off the injured Pakistani nationals and the bodies at Addis Ababa airport.

According to a letter received by the Foreign Ministry from the Pakistani embassy in Somalia, the victims were scheduled to arrive in Karachi on Sunday evening.

The embassy had requested arrangements at Karachi airport for the handover of the bodies and injured crew members, as well as ambulances and other necessary facilities.

The flight is expected to land in Karachi at around 4.40pm pakistan time.

The Pakistan Airports Authority, Foreign Ministry and Overseas Pakistanis Foundation were directed to complete the arrangements at the airport.

Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi was expected to receive the returning crew members on behalf of the government.