Indian Sailor Killed in Aerial Attack Near Oman
A Gujarati seafarer lost his life after an unidentified aerial object struck the MSV Al Jusufi near Oman. 13 crew members were rescued.
A tragic maritime incident has claimed the life of an Indian seafarer after an unidentified aerial object struck the MSV Al Jusufi near the Omani coast. The attack, which occurred on November 2, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the maritime community, highlighting the growing dangers in regional waters.
Tragic Loss Near Limah
The victim has been identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, a resident of Salaya in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. Ajij was part of an all-Indian crew of 14 members aboard the vessel. Following the strike, the crew was forced to abandon the ship in a liferaft. While the Omani Coast Guard successfully rescued 13 survivors, Ajij tragically succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a hospital at Khasab Port.
Details of the MSV Al Jusufi
The MSV Al Jusufi is an Indian-flagged motor sailing vessel, measuring between 48 and 52 metres in length. At the time of the attack, the vessel was navigating near Limah, Oman, en route from Hamriyah Port in the UAE to Porbandar, Gujarat. The ship had originally departed on October 31.
Government Response and Repatriation
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident via social media, stating that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is actively coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Muscat. The primary focus is to assist the survivors and facilitate the repatriation of both the deceased and the remaining crew members.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a strong condemnation of the attack. The ministry demanded an immediate end to the targeting of commercial shipping and called for the restoration of free navigation in accordance with international law.
Rising Maritime Risks in the Region
This incident is the latest in a series of escalating hostilities involving the US, Israel, Iran, and Houthi forces from Yemen. The impact on Indian nationals has been significant, with reports suggesting that at least 22 Indian lives have been lost due to such maritime conflicts since February 2026.
The safety of these routes is of paramount importance to India, which maintains a massive maritime workforce of over 311,000 seafarers. Furthermore, with more than 10 million Indian nationals residing across the Gulf region, regional stability directly impacts the security of millions of citizens.