Indian seafarer Gandhar Nahim Ajij killed in aerial attack on vessel off Oman coast

An Indian seafarer died after an unidentified aerial object struck the India-flagged vessel MSV Al Jusufi near Limah off the Oman coast on Monday, 2 November 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the death on Tuesday. Thirteen other Indian nationals aboard the ship were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard and are safe.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal identified the deceased as Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat. Sonowal stated that the vessel was struck while navigating near the Omani coastline. The ship was travelling from Al Hamriya port in the United Arab Emirates toward Porbandar in Gujarat when the incident occurred.

The MEA issued a statement condemning the attack on the commercial vessel. It said India’s Embassy in Oman is coordinating with local authorities for the early repatriation of the 13 rescued seafarers and the mortal remains of the deceased. The ministry called for an immediate end to the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region, and for de-escalation, a diplomatic solution, and the restoration of unimpeded navigation under international law.

This marks one of the rare attacks on an India-flagged vessel amid ongoing tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and related actors in the wider West Asia region. Government figures released last week indicated that at least 22 Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, have been killed since the outbreak of the armed conflict, which has expanded with involvement from Yemen-based groups. Earlier this year, India banned the deployment of its citizens on any ship navigating the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident highlights persistent risks to maritime traffic in the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and goods shipments. Commercial vessels have faced repeated threats from aerial objects, drones, and other attacks in recent months. The Omani Coast Guard’s rapid response allowed the remaining crew to evacuate without further loss of life.

Sonowal expressed condolences to the family of Ajij and confirmed that the ministry and the Indian Embassy in Muscat are working to assist the survivors. No further details on the nature of the aerial object or the precise location coordinates have been released by Indian authorities beyond the identification of the area near Limah.

The attack comes as regional powers continue discussions on de-escalation involving the Strait of Hormuz and related waterways. India has repeatedly urged all parties to avoid actions that endanger civilian mariners and disrupt international shipping lanes. The loss of Ajij adds to the documented toll on Indian seafarers operating in the area.

Repatriation of the survivors and the remains is expected to proceed through coordination between the Indian Embassy and Omani authorities. The vessel itself sustained damage sufficient to require the crew to abandon it. No official assessment of the extent of damage to the MSV Al Jusufi has been made public.

For Indian shipping companies and seafarer unions, the event reinforces existing advisories against transit through high-risk zones near the Strait of Hormuz. The ban on Indian nationals sailing those routes remains in force. The incident is likely to prompt further reviews of routing decisions for vessels with Indian crews operating between Gulf ports and Indian destinations.

Authorities have not attributed the strike to a specific actor. The description as an “unidentified aerial object” leaves open the possibility of drone, missile, or other munition involvement, consistent with patterns reported in other attacks on commercial shipping in the same waters over recent weeks. Indian officials have limited their public comments to confirmation of the facts, identification of the deceased, and the call for de-escalation.

The 13 survivors are reported to be in stable condition after rescue. Their return to India will depend on medical clearance and documentation formalities handled by the Embassy. Families of the crew have been contacted through official channels.

This development occurs against a backdrop of heightened military activity involving multiple states in the Gulf and Red Sea approaches. Commercial shipping continues under elevated risk, with insurers and operators adjusting premiums and routes accordingly. The death of one Indian seafarer on an India-flagged vessel underscores the direct human cost of those risks for crews that continue to operate in the region.