Indian Sailor Killed in Drone Attack off Omani Coast
A 25-year-old Indian sailor died after a drone strike hit the MSV AL JUSUFI near the Omani coast, destroying the vessel and its cargo.
The maritime community is reeling after news of an Indian sailor killed in a drone attack near the Omani coast, a tragedy that has highlighted the growing dangers in regional shipping lanes.
Nahim Ajij Gandhar, a 25-year-old sailor from Salaya in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka, lost his life on November 2, 2026, following a strike on the Indian-flagged vessel, MSV AL JUSUFI. An unidentified aerial object struck the dhow approximately two kilometres off the coast near Limah, triggering a massive fire.
Destruction of Vessel and Cargo
The attack resulted in the total destruction of the dhow and its significant cargo of 900 metric tonnes of dates. According to the vessel's captain, the strike occurred at 4:45 p.m., leaving the 14-member crew with only five minutes to abandon the ship before it was consumed by flames.
The MSV AL JUSUFI, which is owned by the Sumbhaniya family and registered at Bedi port in Jamnagar, was en route from Hamriyah Port in the UAE to Porbandar, India, when the incident occurred. The financial loss resulting from the destruction of the vessel and its cargo is estimated to be between ₹2–3 crore.
Tragedy for the Crew and Family
The victim, Gandhar, suffered a fractured leg and a shattered hand during the strike. He tragically passed away while being transported to a hospital at Khasab Port. In an effort to avoid the delays associated with repatriating his remains, his family has opted to bury him in Oman.
The remaining 13 crew members, all residents of Salaya who had deployed to the UAE in the May–June period, were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard. They are currently awaiting the necessary visas to return to India.
Escalating Threats to Commercial Shipping
This incident is part of a disturbing trend of maritime insecurity. The Indian Sailing Vessels Association has reported that four such vessels have been targeted since the recent escalation in conflict, resulting in the deaths of two Gujarati sailors and threatening the livelihoods of approximately three lakh people.
The scale of the crisis in the region is significant:
- Since February 2026, an estimated 22–23 Indian lives have been lost to attacks on commercial shipping.
- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and the International Maritime Organization have recorded at least 24 seafarer fatalities in the region due to projectile strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, have both condemned the targeting of commercial vessels, emphasizing the severe impact these attacks have on civilian maritime workers.