MT Jalveer crew: 20 rescued Indian sailors thank govt, Oman before flying home
Synopsis
All 20 Indian sailors aboard MT Jalveer — attacked off Oman's Shinas Port on 11 June — are heading home after a four-day diplomatic effort involving the Indian Embassy in Muscat, the Royal Navy of Oman, and India's shipping ministry. Their safe return is a rare good-news story in a region where attacks on commercial shipping have become alarmingly routine.
Key Takeaways
20 Indian crew members of MT Jalveer were safely evacuated after the vessel came under attack off Shinas Port, Oman on 11 June 2026 .
The crew was repatriated to India on 15 June 2026 after being housed safely from 11–14 June .
India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise , personally met all crew members in Muscat before their departure.
Evacuation was carried out in coordination with the Royal Navy of Oman to Shinas Port .
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal both flagged India's concern over repeated attacks on commercial shipping in West Asia.
All 20 Indian crew members of the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel MT Jalveer, rescued after the ship came under attack off Shinas Port, Oman, on 11 June 2026, expressed gratitude to the Indian government, the Indian Embassy in Muscat, and the Sultanate of Oman on Monday, 15 June, just ahead of their repatriation to India. The crew credited prompt diplomatic coordination and the support of the Royal Navy of Oman for their safe evacuation.
Crew Speaks Out Before Departure
Captain Subodh Kumar, Master of MT Jalveer, said the crew had been housed safely from 11 June to 14 June before their departure. 'The Embassy took great care of us. We stayed in the hotel from June 11 to June 14. The Indian Embassy did a great job in safely taking us out. Our company also supported us, all the departments, including the operations and technical. Thanks for everything to the company, Indian Embassy and the Omani authorities,' he said.
Second Officer Nazim also recounted the ordeal, noting that all 20 crew members managed to safely exit the vessel's cabin. 'With the timely involvement of the Indian Embassy, our company and other personnel, we were rescued without any delay and safely reached the port. Now, we are going to go back to India and see our loved ones. Thank you for the timely involvement. Thanks to everyone who helped us,' he said.
Ambassador Meets Crew Before Repatriation
India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, personally met all 20 crew members in Muscat ahead of their departure and wished them a safe journey home. The Indian Embassy in Oman, in a statement posted on X, reaffirmed its commitment to extending prompt assistance to Indian nationals in distress and ensuring their welfare and safe return. The crew were evacuated to Shinas Port with direct support from the Royal Navy of Oman.
What Happened on 11 June
At an Inter-Ministerial briefing on 11 June 2026, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed that MT Jalveer had come under attack off Shinas Port. He stated that all 20 Indian seafarers on board were reportedly safe and that India's mission in Oman was closely coordinating with Omani authorities for their evacuation.
Mangal underscored India's concern over 'repeated disruptions to commercial shipping,' reiterating the importance of 'secure and uninterrupted navigation through international waters in line with international law.'
India's Broader Concern Over Shipping Safety in West Asia
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at the same briefing, said New Delhi places the highest priority on the safety of Indian seafarers. He linked the incidents to the ongoing conflict in the region and reiterated India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability at the earliest. This comes amid a pattern of repeated attacks on commercial shipping in West Asian waters that have drawn concern from multiple governments.
What Happens Next
The 20 crew members are now en route back to India following their repatriation on 15 June 2026. The Indian Embassy has affirmed continued vigilance over the welfare of Indian nationals in the region. The broader question of maritime security in West Asia — and India's diplomatic posture toward it — is expected to remain a key concern as regional tensions persist.
Point of View
But it should not obscure the larger pattern: this is one of several attacks on commercial vessels in West Asian waters in recent months, and India's seafarers remain disproportionately exposed. New Delhi's response — coordinated, swift, and publicly visible — sets a useful precedent, but the structural vulnerability of Indian maritime labour to regional conflict has no quick diplomatic fix. India's call for dialogue rings consistent, yet the gap between that call and actual deterrence on the water continues to widen.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to MT Jalveer and its Indian crew?
MT Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial vessel, came under attack off Shinas Port in Oman on 11 June 2026. All 20 Indian crew members on board were safely evacuated to Shinas Port with support from the Royal Navy of Oman and were repatriated to India on 15 June 2026.
How were the Indian crew members of MT Jalveer rescued?
The crew were evacuated ashore in coordination with Omani authorities and the Royal Navy of Oman. The Indian Embassy in Muscat closely monitored the situation and coordinated their safe passage to port, after which they were housed in a hotel from 11 to 14 June before being repatriated.
Who is Prashant Pise and what role did he play?
Prashant Pise is India's Ambassador to Oman. He personally met all 20 crew members in Muscat ahead of their repatriation and wished them a safe journey home, reflecting the Indian Embassy's hands-on involvement in the rescue coordination.
What has India said about attacks on shipping in West Asia?
Both MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal expressed deep concern over repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region. India has reiterated the importance of free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways in line with international law, and called for dialogue and diplomacy to restore regional stability.
Are all 20 Indian crew members safe after the MT Jalveer attack?
Yes. According to official statements, all 20 Indian seafarers aboard MT Jalveer were safe following the attack. Captain Subodh Kumar and second officer Nazim both confirmed the crew's safety after evacuation, and the Indian Embassy verified their welfare before repatriation.
