Indian Sailor Killed in Aerial Strike Near Oman Coast
Indian sailor Gandhar Nahim Ajij was killed when an unidentified aerial object struck his vessel near Limah, Oman. 13 crew members were rescued.
A 25-year-old Indian sailor has tragically lost his life following an aerial strike on a vessel navigating near the Omani coast. Gandhar Nahim Ajij, a resident of Porbandar, Gujarat, was killed when an unidentified aerial object struck the Indian-flagged Mechanised Sailing Vessel (MSV) AL JUSUFI near Limah, Oman.
The vessel, which was carrying 950 metric tonnes of dates, had departed from Hamriyah Port in the UAE on October 31, bound for Porbandar. According to Akbar Ahmed Sumbhaniya, the brother of the vessel's owner, the projectile hit the port side of the ship near the cabin at approximately 4 pm local time.
Tragedy at the Helm
At the moment of the strike, Ajij was at the steering wheel. The impact caused severe injuries to his left leg and shoulder. Although he remained conscious while being rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries while being transferred to an ambulance on land.
While the loss of Ajij is a profound tragedy, the remaining 13 Indian crew members on board were successfully rescued and are currently safe.
Rising Toll of Regional Conflict
This incident marks the 15th death of an Indian sailor related to the ongoing regional conflict. Since the onset of the US-Israel-Iran war in February, the total number of Indian nationals lost is estimated to be between 22 and 23.
The attack on the AL JUSUFI is the fourth time a traditional wooden-hulled vessel from Gujarat has been targeted in Omani waters during this current conflict. These vessels, which typically carry between 200 to 3,000 metric tonnes of cargo and are valued at approximately Rs 50 lakh, remain highly vulnerable in these waters.
Official Responses and Repatriation Efforts
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the death, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal commending the Omani authorities for their rapid emergency response. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, also expressed his condolences, stating his deep sadness over the loss of the Gujarati seafarer.
The Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Oman are now working on the following:
- The repatriation of the deceased's remains to India.
- The repatriation of the surviving crew members.
- Providing necessary support to the victim's family, as requested by Adam Bhaya, general secretary of the Indian Sailing Vessels Association.
Due to the heightened risks posed by missile and drone attacks, India currently maintains a ban on the deployment of its citizens on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz. The MEA has reiterated its call for the de-escalation of hostilities and the protection of commercial shipping under international law.