Somali pirates seize Pakistani vessel: US media

WASHINGTON: Somali pirates have hijacked Pakistani cargo vessel off the coast of Central Somalia, the US media reported, a day after they had hijacked an Indian commercial vessel Al Kausar.

This was third attack in weeks after years without such seizures by the Somali pirates.

The Pakistani cargo vessel carrying food was hijacked off the coast of central Somalia, Somali officials said Tuesday, The New York Times said in its report.

The number crew of Pakistani ship “MV Salama 1” could not be ascertained.

The Pakistani-owned boat carrying food was headed toward the Somali coast, though it was not clear exactly where, it added.

Pakistan has yet to confirm the reports.

The report quoted Somali officials the Indian cargo ship that was seized last week was now being held for ransom in the El Hur area of central Somalia, south of the Puntland border, a well-known pirate locale.