Indian sailor killed as cargo ship comes under attack off Oman coast amid Middle East war
An Indian sailor was killed after a cargo vessel carrying 14 Indian crew members came under attack off the coast of Oman amid the escalating Middle East conflict.
Thirteen other sailors were safely rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, a native of Gujarat.
Indian seafarer killed after attack on cargo vessel off Oman On 2 November, the Indian-flagged MSV Al Jusufi, carrying 14 Indian crew and a cargo of dates from the UAE to Porbandar, was struck by an unidentified aerial object near Limah, Oman. One seafarer, Gandhar Nahim Ajij (Gujarat), succumbed to his injuries. The remaining 13 crew members were safely rescued by the Omani Coast Guard. #India #Maritimesecurity #StraitOfHormuz #Oman #Limah #Geopolitics
— Maya Faris (@MayaFarisPak) November 3, 2026
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the death and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.
Ship attacked by unidentified aerial object
According to Sonowal, the incident took place on November 2 when the Indian cargo vessel was struck by an "unidentified aerial object" while navigating near the Omani coastline.
⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE ⚠️ On Nov 2, the Indian MSV AL JUSUFI, carrying 14 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unidentified aerial object while navigating near the coast of Oman. While 13 crew members safely evacuated and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, I am deeply saddened to report that one of our seafarers, Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat, tragically succumbed to his injuries. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this hour of immense grief. The Ministry and Indian Embassy in Oman are in contact with local authorities to ensure immediate assistance for the 13 survivors and facilitate the swift repatriation of both the surviving crew and mortal remains of our deceased seafarer.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) November 3, 2026
The vessel, identified as MSV Al JusuFi, belongs to Salaya in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district.
It was carrying cargo from Hamriyah Port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was headed towards Porbandar in Gujarat when it was hit by what was reported to be an explosive drone or missile.
All 14 crew members aboard the vessel were Indian nationals. While 13 managed to evacuate safely and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, Ajij succumbed to his injuries.
Centre coordinates with Oman to assist survivors
Sonowal said the Indian government and the Indian Embassy in Oman are in constant contact with local authorities to coordinate assistance for the rescued sailors.
The Centre is also working to ensure that the 13 survivors receive immediate support and that Ajij's mortal remains are brought back to India at the earliest.
22 Indians killed in Middle East conflict
The latest incident adds to the growing toll among Indian nationals caught up in the ongoing Middle East war, which has seen repeated attacks on commercial vessels and shipping routes in the region.
Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that 22 Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, had lost their lives in the conflict zone.
"We remain deeply concerned about the situation," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a bi-weekly media briefing, adding that the government was monitoring developments and remaining engaged with the concerned authorities.
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