One Indian seafarer has been killed and 13 others rescued after the India-flagged vessel MSV Al Jusufi was struck by an unidentified aerial object off the coast of Oman on Monday evening, India’s government said on Tuesday.
All 14 crew members aboard the vessel were Indian nationals. The seafarer who died was identified as Gandhar Nahim Ajij, a native of Gujarat, who succumbed to his injuries after the attack near Limah, Oman. The 13 other crew members evacuated safely and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.
What India said
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying the vessel was navigating near the Omani coast when it was hit. He said the ministry and the Indian Embassy in Oman were in touch with local authorities to provide immediate assistance to the survivors and to arrange the early repatriation of both the rescued sailors and Ajij’s mortal remains.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack in a statement on Tuesday, saying: “We condemn the attack on a commercial vessel MSV AL JUSUFI, near Limah, Oman yesterday evening.” The ministry said the Indian Embassy in Oman was closely monitoring developments and coordinating with Omani authorities.
It is not immediately clear who carried out the attack or what munition was used. The government has described the object only as unidentified, and no group has been identified in the reporting so far as responsible.
A wider pattern of attacks on shipping
The attack comes amid a growing number of incidents targeting commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on 28 February 2026. India said on 28 October that 22 Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, had already been killed in the conflict — a toll that predates this incident.
India has repeatedly called for the protection of commercial shipping and the safety of seafarers, and renewed that call after Ajij’s death. In a separate statement on 6 October, the ministry had condemned an attack on the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace off the coast of Oman.
What happens next
The 13 rescued sailors are receiving assistance ahead of repatriation, and India’s embassy in Oman is coordinating with Omani authorities. The circumstances of the strike — including who was responsible — remain unconfirmed, and this article will be updated if Indian or Omani authorities release further detail.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to the MSV Al Jusufi? The India-flagged vessel, carrying 14 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unidentified aerial object near Limah, Oman, on the evening of Monday 2 November.
Who was killed? Gandhar Nahim Ajij, a seafarer from Gujarat, died from his injuries. The other 13 crew members were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard.
Who attacked the vessel? That remains unknown. Indian authorities have not attributed the attack to any group, and the type of munition used is also unclear.
Sources
- NDTV — Indian Sailor Killed In Attack On Cargo Vessel ‘Al Jusufi’ Off Oman Coast: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/indian-sailor-killed-in-attack-on-cargo-vessel-al-jusufi-off-oman-coast-12274884/amp/1
- The New Indian Express — Indian seafarer killed as aerial object strikes cargo vessel off Oman coast, 13 rescued: https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/india/2026/Nov/03/indian-seafarer-killed-as-aerial-object-strikes-cargo-vessel-off-oman-coast-13-rescued
- Deccan Herald — Cargo ship attack: Indian sailor killed off Oman coast, 13 rescued: https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/story/middle-east/sailor-killed-as-india-flagged-cargo-ship-al-jusufi-with-14-crew-comes-under-attack-off-oman-coast-4205338
- Financial Express — 1 Gujarati sailor killed as Indian-flagged vessel attacked off Oman coast; 13 others survive: https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/1-gujarati-sailor-killed-as-indian-flagged-vessel-attacked-off-oman-coast-13-others-survive/4375761/
- Outlook India — One Indian Sailor Killed After Cargo Ship Comes Under Attack Off Oman, Govt Says: https://www.outlookindia.com/amp/story/international/one-indian-sailor-killed-after-cargo-ship-comes-under-attack-off-oman-govt-says
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