Copenhagen, Apr 13 (IANS): A Danish warship apprehended a pirate ship off Somalia's coast and released 12 hostages, including a few Pakistanis, held on board, Denmark's navy said Thursday.

The warship Absalon, part of NATO-led anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, stopped the pirate ship Wednesday. A total of 16 suspected pirates were arrested and are now on board the warship, Xinhua cited the navy as saying in a statement.

The 12 hostages, said to be from Iran and Pakistan, who were held on the pirate ship for over a month, were released from captivity. They are now sailing home, the statement said.

No shots were fired during the operation and no casualties were reported, the navy said.

Danish authorities are now examining whether the suspected pirates can be prosecuted.

According to Danish broadcaster TV2, the country's warships have captured a total of 280 pirates off Somalia's coast. But only 37 have been prosecuted, with the rest set free.