COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Danish naval officials say one of its assault teams freed 16 Pakistanis and two Iranians held by suspected Somali pirates.
Navy spokesman Kenneth Nielsen says three pirates were wounded in a firefight with Danish commandos after they boarded the vessel off Somalia’s coast on April 2. Nielsen says the team was backed by a helicopter.
Nielsen said the operation targeted an Iranian fishing boat that the pirates had used as a mothership. They also seized weapons and equipment.
Nielsen says the wounded were treated by doctors.
The pirates are being held on Esbern Snare, a Danish ship that is part of NATO’s counter-piracy force. Nielsen said there is no decision about what to do with those captured.
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