An Indian national was among five crew members killed after Somali pirates hijacked the fuel tanker MT Honour 25, with the vessel later coming under the control of security forces in Somalia’s Puntland region.

The deceased Indian sailor has been identified as Mohammed Tanweeruz Zaman, a resident of West Bengal who worked as a cook aboard the tanker. The incident has raised renewed concerns over the safety of commercial seafarers amid a resurgence of piracy along Somalia’s coastline.

According to authorities, five crew members were killed during the period of the hijacking. The victims included three Pakistani nationals, one Indian national and one Myanmar national. Several other crew members were also reported to have sustained injuries.

The MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged tanker carrying fuel products, was hijacked in April while travelling towards Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The vessel had 17 crew members on board, including nationals from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Zaman was reportedly the only Indian member of the crew. He had been employed by a Punjab-based maritime company and was serving as the ship’s cook when the vessel was seized by pirates.

The hijacking had left the crew in captivity for several months. During this period, Zaman’s family in West Bengal had remained concerned about his safety and had sought information about his condition.

Somali forces regain control of tanker

Somali security forces eventually launched an operation to retake the vessel from the pirates off the coast of Puntland. The operation was carried out in the waters near Dharin-baar in the Bandar Beyla district.

Puntland authorities said the tanker was successfully brought under government control following the operation. Security personnel also detained a number of suspected pirates, while efforts continued to locate others believed to have been involved in the hijacking.

Authorities said the five crew members had been killed before the security forces began their operation. However, questions remained over the precise circumstances and timing of the deaths, with seafarers’ representatives calling for a clearer investigation into what happened aboard the tanker.

The incident has therefore created uncertainty over whether the deaths occurred entirely before the security operation or during the confrontation between the pirates and the forces attempting to retake the ship.

Family seeks return of Zaman’s remains

Zaman’s death has caused distress among his family members in West Bengal, who had spent months waiting for his safe return.

His relatives have appealed for assistance in bringing his remains back to India. Authorities have been in contact with the family and are expected to assist with the necessary repatriation arrangements.

Indian diplomatic officials have also expressed condolences over the death and indicated that assistance would be provided to the deceased sailor’s family. Officials have maintained contact with the relevant authorities regarding the repatriation of his remains and the welfare of Indian seafarers affected by piracy-related incidents.

Renewed concerns over Somali piracy

The hijacking of the MT Honour 25 comes amid growing concern over the return of Somali piracy after several years of relative decline.

Somalia’s long coastline has historically been associated with attacks on commercial vessels and hostage-taking by pirate groups. International naval operations had previously helped reduce the frequency of such attacks, but maritime security concerns have increased again in 2026.

The latest incident has highlighted the vulnerability of merchant ships operating in waters surrounding Somalia, particularly as regional instability has placed additional pressure on maritime security resources.

Other vessels have also faced piracy-related incidents in the region in recent months. The developments have renewed calls for greater coordination between coastal authorities, international maritime organisations, shipping companies and governments to protect seafarers.

For the families of those aboard the MT Honour 25, however, the immediate focus remains on the victims. Zaman’s family is now seeking the return of his remains and further clarity regarding the circumstances that led to his death after months of captivity.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks faced by civilian seafarers, who can become caught in violent confrontations despite having no involvement in the disputes or criminal activities surrounding the vessels on which they work.