Indian Seafarer Killed in Oman Aerial Strike
A 25-year-old Indian seafarer died in an aerial strike near Oman. The death toll of Indians in West Asia has now risen to 23.
A 25-year-old Indian merchant mariner has tragically lost his life following an aerial strike near Oman, marking a grim escalation in the dangers facing commercial shipping in the region.
The victim, identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij from the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat, was serving aboard the Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel MSV Al Jusufi when the attack occurred on November 2. The vessel, which was registered at the Bedi port in Jamnagar, was navigating the Strait of Hormuz at the time of the incident.
Tragedy Amidst Commercial Transit
At the time of the strike, the MSV Al Jusufi was transporting approximately 900 metric tonnes of dates. The ship was en route from Hamriyah port in the UAE to Porbandar, India. The aerial attack, which took place near Limah, Oman, caused severe injuries to Ajij, specifically to his hands and legs. Despite the critical nature of his wounds, he passed away before medical assistance could be provided to him.
While the tragedy claimed one life, the Omani Coast Guard was able to successfully rescue the remaining 13 crew members from the vessel.
Repatriation Delays and Local Burial
The victim's family has faced further hardship following the incident. Due to various bureaucratic delays, the process of repatriating Ajij's remains to India could not be completed in time. As a result, he was laid to rest in foreign soil at Khasab port.
Rising Casualty Figures for Indian Mariners
The incident has highlighted a growing pattern of violence affecting Indian maritime workers. During a briefing on November 3, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the death toll of Indians in West Asia has risen to 23 since February. This figure includes 15 merchant mariners.
When broader maritime conflicts are considered, the statistics become even more concerning:
- 23 deaths: Total Indian casualties in West Asia since February.
- 15 deaths: Merchant mariners lost in the West Asia region.
- 28 total deaths: Total Indian seafarers lost when accounting for five deaths and two missing persons in Black Sea shipping attacks.
The scale of the regional instability is reflected in the movement of people, with more than three lakh Indians having returned home from the region since February.
India's Diplomatic Response
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the young seafarer. Meanwhile, the MEA has issued a formal condemnation of the attack, while acknowledging the assistance provided by Omani authorities during the rescue operations.
The Indian government has issued a strong call for an immediate cessation of attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure. Indian officials are advocating for regional de-escalation and the restoration of free navigation to ensure the safety of international trade routes. Indian diplomatic missions across the Gulf remain on high alert, operating active crisis cells to assist citizens in the region.