New Delhi, 06 October (H.S.): India has strongly condemned the attack on the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman. Twelve crew members were injured in the incident, including 11 Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep concern over the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region and called for an immediate end to such attacks.

According to an official statement issued on Tuesday by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the commercial vessel MT On Peace (IMO 9893204) was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Of the vessel’s total crew of 19, 17 are Indian nationals. Twelve crew members were injured in the incident, including 11 Indian nationals.

The Ministry said that, with the assistance of the Omani authorities, all the injured sailors have been evacuated and are receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman. The Government of India expressed its gratitude to the Omani authorities for their prompt assistance in providing relief and medical support to the injured Indian nationals.

The MEA said the continuing attacks on shipping in this strategic maritime region remain a matter of deep concern for India. New Delhi reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region. The Ministry made it clear that the targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must end and that navigation and commercial activity through international waterways should be restored at the earliest.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important and strategically sensitive maritime routes for global energy supplies and commercial shipping. The recent escalation of tensions in West Asia and the Gulf region has led to a series of attacks and security incidents involving commercial vessels transiting international waterways, raising concerns over global supply chains as well as the safety of Indian seafarers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar