After nearly 32 months of beingheld captive on board the cargo ship MV Iceberg, five Indianssailors released by Somali pirates returned home today.
Among those who were released due to India's efforts weretwo Pakistani sailors who were dropped off the Oman coast.
The rescued sailors reached the IGI airport thisafternoon and were received by External Affairs MinisterSalman Khurshid there.
"We have worked in a step-by-step manner and proceededwith the operation quietly and successfully and rescued themalong with the Pakistani sailors," Khurshid told reporters.
The two Pakistani sailors would head back home.
"We have been co-operating with our neighbouring countriesirrespective of borders and we are resolved to get all suchhostages released as soon as possible," said the ExternalAffairs Minister.
Khurshid added there are 37 more Indians held as hostagesin various places and efforts are being made to bring themback home safe.
MV Iceberg, registered in Panama, had been seized bySomali pirates off the Yemen coast in March 2010.
The families of the captive sailors had earlier met theShipping Minister G K Vasan to secure their release.