An Indian sailor was killed after the India-flagged cargo vessel MSV Al Jusufi, carrying 14 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unidentified aerial object while navigating near the coast of Oman on November 2. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that 13 crew members were safely evacuated and rescued by the Omani Coast Guard, while Gujarat-based seafarer Gandhar Nahim Ajij succumbed to his injuries.
Sonowal said he was “deeply saddened” by the death and offered his condolences to Ajij’s family. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Indian Embassy in Oman are coordinating with local authorities to assist the surviving crew and facilitate the repatriation of Ajij’s mortal remains. Authorities have not yet identified the aerial object or attributed responsibility for the incident.
13 Crew Members Rescued
According to Sonowal, the vessel was struck while sailing near Oman, forcing its 14-member Indian crew to evacuate. The Omani Coast Guard subsequently rescued 13 crew members. Ajij sustained injuries in the incident and later died. The Union minister expressed his condolences to the sailor’s family and said the government was working to support the affected crew members.
The circumstances surrounding the strike remain unclear. There has been no official confirmation about whether the unidentified aerial object was a drone, missile or another type of projectile, and authorities have not publicly named any individual, organisation or country as responsible. Given the absence of such confirmation, the incident should not be attributed to any particular actor at this stage.
Oman Waters Under Watch
The incident comes amid heightened maritime-security concerns around the Gulf of Oman and the wider region. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has recorded several recent security incidents involving commercial vessels and has advised ships operating in the area to exercise caution.
UKMTO also recorded a separate incident on November 2 in which a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile near Lima, Oman. However, its publicly available incident information does not identify that vessel as MSV Al Jusufi. The two incidents should therefore not be treated as the same event without further official confirmation.
The Gulf of Oman is a strategically important maritime route connecting the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz. Commercial vessels travelling through the wider region have faced increasing security concerns in recent months, making the safety of civilian crews a growing concern for governments and maritime authorities.
Probe Into Strike
The immediate priority for Indian authorities is the welfare of the 13 surviving seafarers and the repatriation of Ajij’s mortal remains. The shipping ministry and the Indian Embassy in Oman are coordinating with Omani authorities, while further details about the circumstances of the strike are awaited.
Until investigators establish what struck MSV Al Jusufi and determine how the incident occurred, claims about the weapon used or those responsible remain unverified. A transparent investigation will be essential to establish the facts and ensure that the safety of civilian shipping and seafarers remains protected.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The death of Gandhar Nahim Ajij is a tragic reminder that ordinary workers can bear the human cost of tensions and insecurity far beyond their control. Seafarers keep essential global trade moving and deserve to be protected regardless of the political or military tensions surrounding their routes. The focus now should remain on supporting Ajij’s family, ensuring the safety of the surviving crew and establishing the facts through a credible investigation rather than speculation. How can governments and international maritime authorities do more to protect civilian seafarers travelling through increasingly vulnerable waters?
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#WATCH | Deoria, UP: A 23-year-old Indian national, identified as Suraj Yadav, was killed following an attack on the vessel MV Cape Dao near the Strait of Hormuz. Yadav, a resident of Karmajitpur in Deoria district (UP), was employed as a wiper on the cargo ship that was en route to India. Indian Embassy confirmed the death of an Indian national. Awadhesh Yadav, uncle of the deceased, says, "Suraj was my elder brother’s son. He completed his education while staying with me in Gauri Bazar. Later, on August 19, he joined the Merchant Navy. He went to Oman. From Oman, his ship traveled to Dubai, and then from Dubai to Bahrain. The incident occurred while the ship was returning from Bahrain to Oman. I spoke to him yesterday at 11:00 AM. Then, around 1:45 or 2:00 PM, I received a call informing me that Suraj’s ship had been hit by a missile. About an hour later, I got another call saying Suraj was no more. That is how I was informed about the incident… My only request to the government is to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. The government should treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and give it due consideration. No one should have their son or brother snatched away from them…"
— ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2026
