Oman coast attack: Indian sailor killed, 13 rescued from commercial vessel

An Indian sailor was killed and 13 others were rescued after a commercial vessel carrying 14 Indian nationals came under attack near the coast of Oman on Monday the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said on TuesdayOur statement on attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman httpstcoAhtSyD77kl httpstcoExpNZGVy9Vmdash Randhir Jaiswal MEAIndia November 3 2026The vessel MSV AL JUSUFI was attacked near Limah Oman on Monday evening The deceased sailor was identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat Union Minister for Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said in a statement on social mediaAccording to Sonowal the vessel was struck by an unidentified aerial object while navigating near the Omani coast The 13 other crew members safely evacuated and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard IMPORTANT UPDATE On Nov 2 the Indian MSV AL JUSUFI carrying 14 Indian seafarers was struck by an unidentified aerial object while navigating near the coast of Oman While 13 crew members safely evacuated and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard I am deeply saddened to report that one of our seafarers Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat tragically succumbed to his injuries My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this hour of immense grief The Ministry and Indian Embassy in Oman are in contact with local authorities to ensure immediate assistance for the 13 survivors and facilitate the swift repatriation of both the surviving crew and mortal remains of our deceased seafarermdash Sarbananda Sonowal sarbanandsonwal November 3 2026Neither the MEA nor Sonowal identified those responsible for the attack or attributed it to any country or organisationThe MEA expressed condolences over the death and said the Indian Embassy in Oman was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities to facilitate the early repatriation of the rescued Indian nationals and the mortal remains of the deceasedldquoThe continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply concerningrdquo the Ministry said in its statementIt reiterated Indias call for an immediate deescalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations towards a diplomatic solution to restore peace and stability in the regionldquoThe targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region in keeping with international law must be restored at the earliestrdquo the MEA saidSonowal said the Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Oman were in contact with local authorities to ensure immediate assistance for the 13 survivors and facilitate the swift repatriation of the rescued crew members and the mortal remains of the deceased sailorIndia has repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of its seafarers amid attacks on commercial vessels across the Gulf Red Sea and Black Sea External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had earlier highlighted that Indian crew members had lost their lives in several such incidents He also called for greater international cooperation to protect commercial shipping and ensure the safety and security of seafarers navigating conflictaffected waters