Mogadishu (Sunatimes) Four Somali pirates have been killed after a Danish warship attacked their boat off Somalia.

According to Denmark’s navy on Sunday, gun battle between the Danish vessel Esbern Snare and a pirate “mother-ship” off Somalia on Thursday morning killed four pirates, wounded ten others and freed sixteen Iranian hostages on board.

The Danish commandos said they have buried the dead pirates in the sea as stipulated by the NATO convention, adding that they captured 24 of the pirates.

The Danish warship was approached by a pirate mother ship while on patrol along the Somali coast but took control of the boat shortly after exchanges of gun fire.

The captured pirates are being reported to be held in the Esbern Snare vessel, and will be brought before court for trial.

By Rooble Dirir