The Islamic courts who control large parts of Somalia have recaptured a ship hijacked by pirates off the Somali coast last week, Kenyan maritime officials said on Wednesday.

Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the Seafarers Assistance Program, said six of the pirates were captured after a gun battle between the Islamic courts. All 14 crew members were unharmed.

"Reports we have received indicate that two pirates are seriously injured following heavy gunfire last (Tuesday) night. The vessel is headed back to Mogadishu," Mwangura said by telephone from the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.

The charcoal-carrying ship -- the Veesham One, registered in the United Arab Emirates -- was being held for a 1 million U.S. dollars ransom.

According to Mwangura, the crew -- from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Ethiopia and Eritrea - -were safe.

The 2,285-ton Veesham One was seized last Thursday near Adale, 95 km northeast of Mogadishu, after it left the Somali port of El- Maan.

Source: Xinhua