Oman (Rajeev Sharma): In a tragic escalation of the regional crisis, two Indian nationals were killed and 10 others injured following a drone strike in the Omani city of Sohar on Friday, March 13, 2026. This marks the first time Indian citizens have died on land since hostilities between the U.S.-Israel alliance and Iran erupted on February 28. The incident occurred when two drones crashed in Sohar, with one specifically targeting the Al Awhi Industrial Zone, according to the Oman News Agency (ONA).
Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed the deaths during an inter-ministerial briefing, expressing deep condolences to the families of the victims. Of the 10 Indians injured in the strike, five have been discharged after receiving medical care, while the remaining five continue to be treated in local hospitals; fortunately, none are reported to be in serious condition. These casualties bring the total number of Indian fatalities in the ongoing conflict to five, adding to the three sailors previously killed in maritime attacks.
Massive Evacuation and Repatriation Efforts
The Indian government has significantly ramped up its efforts to protect the nearly 10 million Indian nationals residing in West Asia. Since the conflict began two weeks ago, approximately 1.5 lakh (150,000) Indians have returned home. This includes recent returns of 2,900 citizens from Qatar and 1,000 from Bahrain. Furthermore, 117 Indian nationals managed to cross the land border from Iran into Armenia, with many of them already back on Indian soil via commercial flights.
The Ministry also provided an update on the crew of the Safesea Vishnu, a U.S.-owned oil tanker that was attacked near Basra, Iraq, on Wednesday. While one Indian crew member was tragically killed in that incident, the remaining 15 Indian sailors have been safely evacuated to a hotel in Basra. Diplomatic missions are currently working on repatriating the surviving crew members and transporting the mortal remains of the deceased back to India.
Diplomatic Push for De-escalation
On the diplomatic front, India is utilizing its presidency of BRICS to foster a consensus among member states for a stronger multilateral response to the crisis. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that New Delhi is in constant communication with all parties involved, urging a shift toward “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the conflict. Additionally, India is focused on securing safe passage for over 20 Indian-flagged merchant vessels currently bottlenecked near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy and trade.
The MEA’s 24/7 control room remains active, though officials noted a slight decline in the volume of emergency calls and emails as the initial wave of evacuations stabilizes. The government continues to monitor the situation closely, prioritizing the welfare of its diaspora while navigating the complex geopolitical tensions within the region.
