Oman Sea Attack on Gujarat Ship Sparks India's Fury

A brazen assault on the Indian cargo ship MSV Haji Ali off Oman's shoreline has drawn India's sharpest rebuke, with the Foreign Ministry vowing zero tolerance for threats to global shipping. The drama unfolded early Wednesday in Omani waters, where the Gujarat-based vessel met a fiery fate. Bound for Sharjah from Berbera, the 14-crew ship—property of Dwarka resident Sultan Ahmed Ansari—suddenly shuddered under a suspected drone or missile strike at 3:30 AM. Crew accounts describe a thunderous blast rocking the hull, igniting a blaze that rapidly spread. With no time to lose, the Indian sailors launched life rafts and evacuated, their survival hinging on Omani rescuers who swooped in. All 14 lives were saved, a fact the MEA highlighted in its grateful nod to Oman. Yet the ministry's tone turned steely: 'This reprehensible act targeting commercial ships and blameless crew cannot and will not be accepted.' The MEA demanded an end to disruptions in free navigation, echoing broader concerns as regional conflicts simmer, particularly around Iran-backed activities in the Hormuz Strait. Experts warn this could signal a dangerous uptick in hybrid warfare at sea, endangering not just Indian mariners but the world's trade arteries. India's diplomatic push now focuses on bolstering safeguards for its vast merchant navy, which powers global supply chains. The crew's miraculous escape offers relief, but the sinking ship symbolizes fragility in contested seas.