Sailor families pray for his safe return from ship hijacked by Somali pirates

Fatehpur (HP), Oct 23 (ANI): Kin of Raghuveer Singh Pathania, an Indian sailor working as a Chief Engineer in the Singapore-owned Pacific International Lines ship, hijacked by Somali pirates on October 15, are praying for his safe return.

They also urged the Central Government to intervene.

Staying in Fatehpur near Dharamsala, the family which consists of aging and ailing father and mother, Pathania's wife and a small son, was anxious.

"(My husband) talked to me for a minute or so and he told me that he is alright and as soon as the company pays the ransom they will come back.

Now it is my appeal to government of India to kindly get involved in this matter," said Deepika Pathania, wife of Raghuveer Singh Pathania.

"Hostages are not guests. You can well imagine what is our mental state of affairs. I am a retired old man. I am a handicapped man," said Pritam Singh, father of Raghuveer Singh Pathania.

Four Indian sailors were among the 21-crew members on board MV Kota Wazir, seized north of Seychelles by the Somali pirates. (ANI)