Indian Seafarer Killed in Drone Strike Near Oman
A young Indian seafarer has died after his vessel, MSV Al Jusufi, was struck by a projectile near Oman. 13 crew members were rescued.
A young Indian seafarer has lost his life following an unidentified aerial projectile strike on the Indian-flagged vessel MSV Al Jusufi near the coast of Oman. The incident, which occurred on November 2, 2026, has sparked renewed fears regarding the safety of commercial shipping in regional waters.
The victim, identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, aged between 21 and 25, was a resident of Salaya in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. Tragically, Ajij succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a hospital following the attack.
Attack on MSV Al Jusufi
The vessel was engaged in transporting 950 tonnes of wet dates from Hamriyah Port in the UAE to Porbandar, India, when the strike occurred. At approximately 4 p.m. local time, an unidentified projectile struck the ship on the port side, specifically near the engine room.
The impact was severe enough to cause the vessel, which is valued at approximately Rs 1 crore, to sink. According to Akbar Ahmed Sumbhaniya, a member of the owner's family, the projectile appeared to have originated from the seaward side of the ship.
The Omani Coast Guard acted swiftly to respond to the emergency, successfully rescuing 13 surviving crew members from the water. However, the loss of Ajij underscores the growing dangers faced by maritime workers in the area.
Rising Toll on Indian Mariners
This incident is not an isolated event in the region. The Indian Sailing Vessels Association reported that this marks the fourth attack on a Gujarat-based MSV in Omani waters since the current regional conflict began.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the fatality, noting a grim trend in the conflict's impact on Indian nationals. Since February, the total number of Indian citizens killed in the conflict has risen to 23, including 15 seafarers.
- Total Indian fatalities since February: 23
- Total seafarers killed: 15
- Previous casualties: 14 seafarers and three individuals in Saudi Arabia
Diplomatic Response and Repatriation
India has formally condemned the targeting of commercial shipping vessels, issuing a call for de-escalation, diplomatic dialogue, and the absolute protection of freedom of navigation. The government emphasized that commercial maritime routes must remain safe from such hostilities.
The Indian Embassy in Oman is currently on the ground, facilitating the repatriation of the surviving crew members and working to ensure the remains of the deceased seafarer are returned to his family in Gujarat. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family via social media.