Updated on
Summary Six Indian sailors returned home to a joyous welcome after being held captive for a year by pirates.
Huge crowds thronged the airport where tearful family members greeted the six men with marigold garlands and sweets after they landed in New Delhi. They also came down on Indian government for doing nothing for the hostages’ release. Pakistan in fact helped secure their release and safe journey to first Karachi and then onwards. The men were freed after a $2.1 million ransom was paid to secure the release of the merchant navy ship that was captured 11 months ago by pirates operating in the Indian Ocean.The men were mobbed by cheering crowds and television crews as they emerged from the airport lobby. There were hugs and tears as overjoyed family members surrounded the exhausted-looking men.This is a rebirth for me. The joy I feel cannot be expressed in words, N.K. Sharma, one of the sailors, said Friday as he embraced his wife and children.Indias external affairs minister S.M. Krishna said he was relieved that the ordeal of the sailors was over. We appreciate the timely help extended to them and sailors of other countries, by the Pakistani navy, Krishna said.
