Indian Sailor Killed in Drone Strike Near Oman Coast
A young Indian sailor lost his life after an unidentified drone struck a Gujarat-owned vessel near the Omani coast.
A tragic incident involving an Indian sailor killed in a drone strike near the coast of Oman has sent shockwaves through the maritime community. The victim, identified as 25 or 26-year-old Nahim Ajij Gandhar, lost his life following an attack on an Indian-flagged vessel operating in the region.
Attack on MSV Al Jusufi
The incident occurred on November 2 at approximately 4:45 pm. An unidentified aerial object struck the MSV Al Jusufi, a traditional dhow-style cargo craft, just two kilometers off the coast near Limah, Oman. The vessel was registered in Bedi port, Gujarat, and was owned by a family based in Salaya.
At the time of the strike, the ship was transporting approximately 900 metric tonnes of dates from Hamriyah Port in the UAE to Porbandar, India. The projectile hit the vessel with devastating force, igniting a fire that completely destroyed both the ship and its precious cargo. The financial loss is estimated to be between Rs 2-3 crore.
A Family's Double Tragedy
Nahim Ajij Gandhar was at the helm when the strike occurred. He sustained catastrophic injuries, including a severed leg and hand. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away while being transported to Khasab Port. Due to ongoing bureaucratic delays, his family has made the difficult decision to bury him in Khasab, Oman.
This loss is particularly heartbreaking for the Gandhar family, as it mirrors a tragedy from nearly two decades ago. Nahim's father, Ajijbhai, died at sea during a cyclone while returning from Dubai, and his body was never recovered. The recent death has left the family, including relative Akbar Ahmed Sumbhaniya and cousin Irfan, completely devastated.
Crew Rescued Amid Rising Tensions
The Omani Coast Guard successfully rescued the remaining 13 crew members from the vessel. All the sailors are residents of Salaya in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat.
The Indian Sailing Vessels Association has reported that this marks the fourth attack on Indian sailing vessels since February 2026. These attacks have already resulted in the deaths of two Gujarati sailors. In response to the increasing danger, the association has appealed to the Iranian Ambassador to establish safe passage protocols for such vessels.
Regional Conflict and Government Response
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has formally condemned the attack, calling for an immediate end to the targeting of commercial shipping and demanding the restoration of free navigation in the region. India's Shipping Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed the details of the tragedy and offered his condolences to the bereaved family.
This fatality is part of a broader pattern of violence linked to the ongoing regional conflict involving the US, Israel, Iran, and various proxies. Reports indicate that 22 to 23 Indians have been killed in the region since February. The instability has caused significant disruption, with more than 300,000 Indians returning from the region, although millions of Indian nationals continue to live and work across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain.