Pakistan, Sept. 30 -- Three Pakistani sailors were among five crew members killed after Somali pirates opened fire on hostages while escaping during a security operation to free the crew of the hijacked vessel Honour 25, according to survivors and the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust.

Four other sailors were injured in the incident, including three Pakistanis, while several crew members remained safe.

Surviving Pakistani sailors Hussain Yousuf and Imran Ali contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust in Karachi using the captain's mobile phone and shared details of the attack.

According to the survivors, Somali authorities and security forces from the semi-autonomous Puntland region launched a joint operation on Tuesday to rescue the hostages. ...