India has welcomed the release of six of its sailors held captive by Somali Pirates on board a hijacked merchant vessel. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said, the government is happy that the sailors have been released and the ship is now moving out. He, however, refused to comment on the role of Pakistani rights activist Ansar Burney in securing the release of the 22 crew members of different nationalities. Mr Burney said yesterday that the Somali pirates had released the crew members after ransom was paid to them. The pirates had taken the crew members, including Pakistanis, Egyptians and a Sri Lankan, hostage after capturing the vessel MV Suez last year. Burney, who negotiated with the pirates and raised money through donations, said in Karachi that all hostages had been freed. He said they would reach their homes in a few days as arrangements are being made for their repatriation.