US Missile Attack: 3 Indian sailors killed in US attack off Oman coast, India expressed strong protest

US missile attacks off the coast of Oman have sparked a major controversy. Three Indian sailors lost their lives in these attacks, after which the Indian government has lodged a strong protest with the US. This incident has increased diplomatic tension between India and America and anger is being seen in Indian political circles also.

This whole matter is of the second week of June. On June 8, American fighter aircraft targeted an oil tanker named MT Marivex, causing it to catch fire and the Indian crew had to evacuate. This was followed on June 10 by an attack on the Palau-flagged MT Settebello ship, in which three Indian sailors were killed. Again on 11 June, two Hellfire missiles were fired at the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MT Jalveer, damaging the ship’s engine room and rendering the ship unusable.

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and clearly said that such deadly attacks on merchant ships are not right at all. However, India is not satisfied with the response from America after this conversation. Congress leader Manish Tewari has described America’s attitude as ‘harsh’ and ‘aggressive’. He said that America has not expressed any regret over these deaths. At the same time, MP Shashi Tharoor has also expressed surprise at the attitude of the American government that it did not express any condolences on the loss of Indian lives.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has defended these attacks and described them as ‘precision strikes’. The US alleges that these ships were smuggling Iranian oil and were not following US Navy orders. The US claimed to have so far disabled nine ships and diverted 135 other ships.

Keeping in mind the safety of Indian sailors, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India has issued a warning. The ministry has advised all Indian sailors to exercise extreme caution while transiting through disputed and conflict areas.

Amidst this crisis, the Indian Navy also conducted a high-risk operation. The Navy recovered an unexploded missile warhead from a crude oil tanker named MT Olympic Life, which was safely brought to India. The ship was attacked on May 26 off the coast of Oman.