Indian Sailor Killed in Strike Near Strait of Hormuz
An Indian sailor died after his vessel was struck near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred amid rising regional tensions and US-Iran conflict.
An Indian sailor has lost his life after his vessel was struck by an unidentified aerial object near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred on November 2, 2026, near Limah, Oman, involving the Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel MSV Al Jusufi.
Details of the Attack
The MSV Al Jusufi was transporting approximately 900 to 950 metric tonnes of dates from Hamriyah Port in the UAE to Porbandar, Gujarat. At the time of the strike, the vessel was carrying a crew of 14 Indian nationals.
While the Omani Coast Guard successfully rescued 13 crew members, one sailor, Gandhar Nahim Ajij, succumbed to his injuries. The young man, in his early-to-mid 20s and a resident of Salaya, Gujarat, sustained fatal wounds to his leg and shoulder during the attack.
Due to the logistical impossibility of repatriating the body, the vessel's owner, Haji Akbar Sumbhaniya, confirmed that Nahim will be buried in Oman.
Escalating Regional Tensions
The strike took place against a backdrop of heightened military volatility in the region. On the same day as the vessel was hit, US military strikes were reported on Iran's Qeshm Island.
This incident highlights a growing trend of danger for Indian nationals involved in West Asian maritime and regional activities. According to Indian authorities, the statistics since the start of the conflict in February 2026 are concerning:
- At least 23 Indian nationals have been killed in the West Asia conflict.
- 15 of these fatalities have been seafarers.
- Three deaths have been recorded in Saudi Arabia.
- More than 300,000 Indians have returned from the Gulf region since late February.
Previous fatalities in the conflict include Mohammed Yusuf Ali from Hyderabad and Shaikh Sayeed from Telangana, both of whom died following a projectile attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10.
A Family Tragedy
For the family of the deceased in the Devbhumi Dwarka district, the loss is particularly profound. Nahim was the youngest of five siblings, and his father, Ajijbhai, also tragically died at sea during a cyclone 20 years ago.
Official Response and Warnings
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed his condolences following the tragedy. In light of the incident, the Directorate General of Shipping has issued warnings against deploying Indian seafarers in designated high-risk zones.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Muscat are currently coordinating with Omani officials regarding the survivors and the necessary legal and funerary formalities. India has issued statements condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial vessels, while advocating for de-escalation and the protection of international navigation rights.