2 Indians Killed, 10 Injured in Drone Attack on Oman's Sohar Industrial Zone

Two Indian nationals were killed and ten others injured in a drone strike in Sohar city , Oman, on Friday, marking the first Indian fatalities on land since the Iran-US conflict erupted on February 28 .

The Joint Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem Mahajan , confirmed the deaths at an inter-ministerial media briefing on the West Asia crisis. He expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims. Of the 11 injured, 10 are Indians . Five have been discharged after treatment , while the others continue to receive care in local hospitals. None of the injuries are reported to be critical .

Mahajan said the Indian mission is closely coordinating with local authorities and the concerned company, providing all possible assistance. While details of the attack remain limited, the Oman News Agency (ONA) reported that two drones crashed in Sohar, one striking the Al Awhi Industrial Zone , resulting in the fatalities of the two expatriates.

These casualties bring the total Indian fatalities in the West Asia conflict to five . While the Sohar attack marks the first deaths on land , three Indian sailors were previously killed in attacks on merchant vessels since the conflict began.

India has intensified diplomatic efforts to safeguard the 10 million Indian nationals in West Asia and to ensure safe passage for over 20 Indian-flagged merchant vessels near the Strait of Hormuz . Recently, 15 Indian crew members of the US-owned oil tanker Safesea Vishnu were safely evacuated in Basra, Iraq , after an attack in which one Indian crew member died . Efforts are ongoing to repatriate the deceased and evacuate the crew safely .

Since the conflict began, 150,000 Indians have returned home from West Asia, including 2,900 from Qatar and 1,000 from Bahrain . Additionally, 117 Indians have crossed into Armenia from Iran , with several already returning to India.

Mahajan emphasised that India urges all parties to resolve the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue . Talks are also ongoing with BRICS member states to build a consensus on the issue .