A pall of grief has descended on a village in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district after a 24-year-old youth was killed in an attack on a commercial vessel near Oman, amid escalating tensions in West Asia linked to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Dalip Singh, a resident of Khinwatana village, lost his life when the oil and chemical tanker MV Skylight came under attack near Khasab Port in Oman. The shipping company confirmed the incident on Wednesday, leaving his family and villagers in shock.
Singh, son of K. Singh, had joined the Merchant Navy on January 22, 2026, and was serving as a crew member aboard the Palau-flagged tanker. Family members said they last spoke to him on February 28, when he sounded normal and hopeful about his future. However, on the morning of March 1, tragedy struck.
The vessel was reportedly anchored off the coast of Oman near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz when it was hit. According to Oman’s Maritime Security Centre, the tanker was struck either by a missile allegedly fired from Iran or by an explosive-laden drone boat. The projectile hit the bow section of the ship, where Dalip Singh was believed to be on duty at the time. The impact triggered a massive explosion and fire, causing severe damage to the vessel.
Initially reported missing, Dalip Singh’s death was later confirmed after rescue operations were conducted by Omani authorities. The body of Captain Ashish, a resident of Bihar, was also recovered. At the time of the attack, the tanker had 15 Indian and five Iranian crew members on board. While most were rescued, three crew members were initially unaccounted for. The deaths of two, including Dalip Singh, have now been confirmed.
The attack occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial oil transit routes, through which nearly 20 per cent of global oil supplies pass. The region has witnessed rising volatility amid growing hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States, with security analysts linking the strike to the broader escalation in the Gulf.
Back home in Khinwatana, Singh’s death has left his family devastated. He was the sole earning member and had taken up the maritime job to improve his family’s financial condition. Villagers have urged the Central government to provide adequate support to the bereaved family and enhance safety measures for Indian seafarers working in conflict-prone maritime zones.
