Gym Owner Killed in Firing Incident; Bishnoi Gang Warns of Further Attacks

A vessel carrying Indian crew members caught fire off the coast of Oman after reportedly coming under attack, with the US Central Command acknowledging that it fired two Hellfire missiles at the ship’s engine room.

The incident marks the third case this week involving vessels with Indian crew operating in waters near Oman.

In a post on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it acted against the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer, alleging it was attempting to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. It stated that a US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with instructions.

CENTCOM further claimed that since April 13 it has disabled nine non-compliant vessels, redirected 135 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels carrying humanitarian aid to pass.

According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, five of the 20 crew members aboard the vessel were rescued by passing ships and taken to Oman.

India Condemns Attacks

India has strongly condemned the recent attacks on tankers manned by Indian seafarers in the region. The Ministry of External Affairs described the incidents as “deeply worrisome” and called for an immediate halt to such actions.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India attaches high importance to the safety and welfare of its seafarers and has already raised the matter with the US, summoning the US Chargé d’Affaires to lodge a formal protest.

“We expect the US to take due note of our protest,” he said.

Third Such Incident This Week

The MT Jalveer is the third vessel with Indian crew reported to have been attacked near Oman in recent days.

Earlier, a Palau-flagged tanker Settebello was reported to have come under attack off Oman, with three Indian crew members missing. Before that, fire broke out on the tanker MT Marivex, which was carrying 24 Indian seafarers south of the Strait of Hormuz following an alleged strike.