Bodies of two Rajasthan youths killed in drone attacks in Oman reach their villages

The bodies of two young men from Rajasthan who were killed in a drone attack in Oman amid the escalating West Asia conflict were brought back to their villages on Tuesday, leaving families and communities in shock. The deceased have been identified as Vikram Verma , from Agloi village in Khandela tehsil of Sikar district, and Pappu Singh from Lalpura village in Raipur sub‑division of Beawar district. The attack occurred on March 13 in Sohar’s industrial zone, killing them and injuring several other Indian workers.

The bodies were flown to Jaipur and then taken to their native villages, where tearful last rites were performed. Relatives described the loss as devastating. Vikram had travelled to Oman on February 23 to work with a construction company on road projects and had spoken to his family a day before the attack, expressing concern over the volatile situation. He was the only brother among three sisters and bore significant family responsibilities. With this incident, the death toll of Indian nationals in the recent West Asia conflict has risen to five .

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Indian missions are providing full assistance to the families and injured, including repatriation , help with documentation, and guidance for insurance or employer-related claims. While no fixed ex-gratia compensation has been announced, the government is coordinating with local authorities and employers to ensure support and settlement of claims. Condolences have been formally expressed, and the MEA continues to advise Indian nationals in conflict-affected regions to remain vigilant.

The incident highlights growing concerns about the safety of Indian expatriate workers in West Asia, where geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States have increased civilian risks. The government has reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens abroad while facilitating support and evacuation when required.