Indian seafarer killed as projectile hits Indian vessel off Oman; India condemns attack

An Indian merchant vessel has been attacked again off the coast of Oman, and an Indian sailor has been killed. Attacks on international waterways and merchant ships show no sign of stopping, and the latest incident has cast a pall of grief across the country.

According to available information, the Indian-flagged merchant vessel MSV Al-Jusufi was passing near Limah on the Omani coast when an unidentified aerial object struck it hard on the evening of November 2. The vessel was badly damaged and chaos broke out on board. There were 14 Indian sailors and crew members on the ship.

On receiving news of the incident, the Oman Coast Guard reached the spot immediately and began rescue work. Thanks to the coast guard's timely rescue, 13 of the 14 Indian crew members were brought out safely.

However, one Indian sailor who was seriously injured in the attack died during treatment. The deceased has been identified as Nahim Azeez, a resident of Gandhar in Gujarat. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has officially confirmed the sailor's death.

The Indian embassy in Oman is currently in touch with the local administration. Efforts are under way on a war footing to bring the body back to India at the earliest and to send the remaining sailors home safely.

Following the incident, India's Ministry of External Affairs has issued a firm and clear statement. It said such repeated attacks on merchant ships are deeply worrying and condemnable. According to the ministry, they threaten not only maritime security but also international trade routes. The ministry expressed deep concern over the worsening situation in West Asia.

India has appealed for an immediate end to the tension in West Asia and said all issues should be resolved through diplomatic dialogue. India also said in clear terms that restoring freedom of navigation and free trade on international waterways is the need of the hour.

Officials of the Ministry of External Affairs are in constant touch with Omani authorities and are closely monitoring the entire situation. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the ministry's statement on the attack on X on November 3, 2026.