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Capt. Richard Philips (right) and USS Bainbridge Cmdr. Frank Castellano, after his rescue (US Navy)

What a happy Easter Sunday for all Americans! Maersk Alabama Captain Richard Phillips, who was taken as hostage since April 8 by four Somali pirates, was rescued after US Navy shot dead three of his captor  and taken the fourth into custody.

U.S. Navy forces today (April 12) freed an American sea captain being held by pirates off the coast of Somalia, killing three pirates and taking a fourth into custody in the process, the Pentagon confirmed. The captain was unharmed in the rescue.

“It’s outstanding news,” Adm. Greg Smith of Central Command said. “We got the captain back, which is the outcome we wanted to see happen, his safe and secure return.”

Smith said Capt. Richard Phillips of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama was rescued in a brief firefight with three hostage-takers, who “died as a consequence of their own actions.’”

“Regrettably, three pirates made a choice that ended in the loss of their lives. One did not and is in our custody and will of course be treated responsibly and held responsible,” said Smith, adding that a news conference was being planned in Bahrain to provide more details about the operation.

Smith suggested that the three Somali pirates who were with Phillips fought back, and that the fourth pirate was not injured because he was part of a negotiating team and was not in the small lifeboat with Phillips and the others.

The rescue most likely was carried out by a specially trained team of Navy SEALs or other special forces, who were in the region as part of the U.S. government effort to free Phillips. Central Command was in charge of the operation because “we own the geography” in which the hostage taking occurred, he said.

Phillips was rescued at 7:19 p.m., the commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, 5th Fleet, confirmed in a statement.

Reports are saying Capt. Phillips jumped overboard again. US Navy SEALs possibly took this opportunity to open fires at the three pirates who remained on the lifeboat and would have otherwise hampered Capt. Philips’s second escape attempt.

Capt. Phillips is uninjured and in good condition. He has been flown to USS Boxer to rest. President Obama issued a statement on Philips’s safe rescue:

I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer. His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew.

I am also very proud of the efforts of the U.S. military and many other departments and agencies who worked tirelessly to secure Captain Phillips’s safe recovery.

We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region. To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes.

I share the country’s admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans.

Capt. Richard Phillips was hailed as a hero for save his fellow crew after he surrendered himself to the pirates when the armed pirates stormed his relief ship last Wednesday.

Update: Details on how US SEALs killed three pirates (MSNBC):

Vice Adm. Bill Gortney said Phillips, 53, was tied up and in “imminent danger” of being killed because a pirate on the lifeboat held an AK-47 assault rifle to the back of his head.

In an interview with NBC’s TODAY show, Gortney said it took only three shots to kill the three pirates.

Interviewed Monday from Bahrain, Gortney said the take-down happened shortly after the hostage-takers were observed by sailors aboard the USS Bainbridge “with their heads and shoulders exposed.”

Gortney described the snipers as “extremely, extremely well-trained.” He said the firing by the snipers was ordered by [Cmdr. Frank Castellano] the captain of the Bainbridge after the pirates “exposed themselves” to attack.

U.S. Defense officials said snipers got the go-ahead to fire after one pirate held an AK-47 close to Phillips’ back. Two other pirates popped their heads up out of the lifeboat, giving snipers three clear targets from the Bainbridge, one official said.

Military officials Monday described the snipers’ operation as remarkable — firing at a small lifeboat 25 yards away at night and from the stern of a ship on rolling waters.

The SEALS arrived on the scene by parachuting from their aircraft into the sea, and were picked up by the Bainbridge, a senior U.S. official said.