Indian sailor killed in attack on vessel off Oman coast

An Indian sailor was killed on Monday after the vessel MSV Al Jusufi was struck by an unidentified projectile while sailing off the coast of Oman. The Indian Ministry of Shipping confirmed that of the 14 crew members on board, 13 were successfully rescued by the Omani coast guard. The victim, identified as Gadar Nahim Aziz from Gujarat, succumbed to his injuries following the incident.

The circumstances of the attack, including the specific type of projectile and the identity of the perpetrators, remain unknown. The Indian government has not yet identified those responsible for the strike. Indian authorities continue to emphasize the vulnerability of their citizens, who make up a significant portion of global commercial shipping crews, with over 320,000 active Indian sailors recorded in 2025.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has officially condemned the strike on the civilian vessel. In response to the growing number of fatalities among Indian personnel involved in regional maritime incidents since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, New Delhi has reiterated its call for all warring parties to respect the freedom of navigation in the region.