Aerial Attack on Indian Vessel Near Oman Kills One Sailor

An unidentified aerial object struck the Indian-flagged cargo vessel MSV AL JUSUFI near the coast of Oman on November 2. The attack killed one Indian seafarer, Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat, and left 13 other crew members stranded before they were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.

Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of India, confirmed the incident and stated that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Indian Embassy in Oman are coordinating with Omani authorities to assist survivors and repatriate the rescued crew and the deceased's remains. Minister Kiren Rijiju also reported the death of the sailor.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India condemned the attack, calling for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation in international waterways. This incident follows a recent surge in regional maritime violence, including late October strikes on the Panama-flagged tankers RITI and Louise 1 near Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Khasab coast.