Three Indian seafarers who had been reported missing following a US military strike on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman have been confirmed dead, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday. The bodies of all three sailors have been recovered and identified.

The incident involved the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello, which was carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indian nationals and four foreign nationals. According to reports, the vessel came under attack in the Gulf of Oman after US forces alleged that it had failed to comply with instructions and was transporting Iranian oil.

Three missing sailors confirmed dead

The deceased sailors have been identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh. They were initially reported missing after the attack while 21 other Indian crew members were rescued. Sonowal described the development as a tragic loss and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

The minister stated that the bodies had been located and identified following search and recovery efforts conducted after the strike.

Vessel carried 24 Indian nationals

MT Settebello had a crew comprising 24 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian and one Russian. The tanker was operating in the Gulf of Oman when it was targeted. The US military has said the vessel was struck because it was allegedly violating restrictions related to Iranian oil shipments.

The attack has drawn strong reactions in India due to the loss of Indian lives and concerns over the safety of civilian seafarers operating in a conflict-affected maritime region.

India lodged diplomatic protest

Before the deaths were confirmed, India had formally raised the issue with the United States and sought clarification over the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior US diplomat and conveyed concerns regarding the safety of Indian crew members aboard commercial vessels.

The latest development marks a tragic conclusion to the search for the three missing sailors and is likely to intensify concerns over maritime security in the Gulf region.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has received interim protection from coercive action for three weeks from the Calcutta High Court in connection with the alleged signature forgery case being investigated by the West Bengal CID. The relief comes amid an ongoing legal challenge by the senior party leader against repeated summons issued by investigators.

The case relates to allegations that signatures of several Trinamool Congress MLAs were forged on a party resolution submitted to the West Bengal Assembly during a leadership dispute. The complaint led to the registration of a case and a CID investigation, with the agency seeking to question Banerjee regarding the disputed document.

Court grants temporary relief

During the hearing, the court granted Banerjee protection from arrest and other coercive measures for three weeks while the matter remains under judicial consideration. The interim order provides temporary relief as the legal proceedings continue and the CID investigation moves forward.

Banerjee had approached the High Court challenging the CID summons and seeking protection from any adverse action. He had also requested additional time to appear before investigators, citing legal proceedings and other commitments.

CID probe and summons

The West Bengal CID has issued multiple notices to Banerjee in the alleged forgery case and has maintained that his statement is important for the investigation. Investigators have also questioned several MLAs and carried out searches linked to the probe.

According to investigators, the inquiry focuses on allegations that signatures appearing on a party communication submitted to the Assembly did not match those of some legislators. The authenticity of the document and related records remains under examination.

The matter is expected to return to court after the expiry of the interim protection period, while the CID investigation continues.

Fresh protests have broken out in Manipur after the bodies of six Naga civilians, who had been abducted nearly a month ago, were recovered in Kangpokpi district. The incident has intensified tensions in the state’s hill regions and triggered strong reactions from Naga organisations and community leaders.

The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body representing Nagas in Manipur, condemned the killings and described the deaths as a grave violation of human rights. The organisation announced a 24-hour shutdown across Naga-inhabited areas and said it would not accept the bodies until its key demands are addressed.

According to the UNC, the six men were among a group of Naga civilians allegedly taken hostage on May 13 during heightened tensions between Naga and Kuki groups in the region. The council claimed the victims were recovered in a mutilated condition, further fuelling anger within the community.

Shutdown call and demands

The shutdown began on June 11 and is intended as a mark of protest and solidarity with the victims’ families. The UNC has demanded strict action against those responsible for the abductions and killings. It has also called for the arrest and prosecution of members of the Kuki National Front (President), or KNF(P), whom it accuses of involvement in the hostage-taking.

The organisation has additionally urged the Manipur government to review existing arrangements with armed groups operating in the state and take stronger measures to prevent further violence.

Government response

The Manipur government has strongly condemned the killings. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.

State authorities said investigations are underway and stressed that those involved in the crime would face legal action.

Background to the hostage crisis

The deaths mark a tragic development in a hostage crisis that has unfolded amid growing Naga-Kuki tensions in parts of Manipur. Security forces had been conducting search operations for weeks to trace abducted civilians from both communities. Earlier this week, 14 Kuki hostages were released, raising hopes of a breakthrough before the discovery of the six Naga bodies reignited tensions.

The incident is expected to further complicate efforts to restore peace in the state, where ethnic and community-related tensions have persisted in several districts.