‘Good night, take care of the children…’ Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh had sent this last message to his wife on the night of June 9. Next morning his wife’s ‘Good morning’ remained unnoticed. An American missile tore into the engine room of their ship MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. Indian sailors 44-year-old Suresh, 23-year-old deck cadet Aditya Sharma and 37-year-old engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasia were killed in the attack. The dreams of the wife preparing for her one year anniversary, the elderly parents who have lost their only son and the young cadet who left saying ‘Papa is coming soon’ were destroyed. Three families are sitting with one question without any concrete answer – ‘Why did our loved ones have to die?’

Three dead bodies and three devastations – family by family story

1. Aditya Sharma- Deck Cadet, Himachal Pradesh

Aditya Sharma was a deck cadet, i.e. a student who was dreaming of becoming a ship’s officer in the future. In November last year, he had left for China from Dubai and was scheduled to return home in May 2026. But due to some reasons his duty was increased.

When his father Rajesh Sharma spoke to him in May, Aditya had said, ‘Papa, I will stay for one more month, then I am definitely coming home.’ He was last able to talk to his father on phone on June 8. He told them that the ship was heading towards Oman and the captain was planning to enter the Gulf area. The father was a little worried, but he thought that merchant ships are never attacked. After the attack, father Rajesh told the media, ‘I was not worried. Such ships are not attacked. What happened was completely surprising. This was wrong.

When the news of the attack spread, there was panic in the family. Aditya’s uncle Sanjeev got a call around 9 pm on June 9 that Aditya was missing. He immediately reached his brother’s house in Jalandhar. They kept trying to contact the company the whole night, but did not get any information. At 1:30 in the night they came to know that Aditya is no more in this world.

Aditya’s grandfather Ashok raised the biggest question, ‘We want to know that when the captain was warned not to proceed further, in what capacity did he proceed with the ship? We want investigation. Taking aim at America, father Rajesh also asked that 21 crew members were saved, but how were three killed?

Another shocking revelation was made by Rajesh that he himself used to track the location of the ship and often noticed irregularities in the location. Sometimes the navigation system would show the old location, and sometimes the tracking device itself would be switched off. When Aditya was asked, he said that sometimes the tracking device is switched off deliberately.

2. Shivanand Chaurasia, Engine Fitter, Uttar Pradesh

Shivanand lived in Surauli village of Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh. He had boarded the ship from Mumbai and worked as an engine fitter. He was the sole breadwinner for his wife Sushila and family. His dreams were very simple – to educate children, run a household and perhaps someday build a small house of his own.

There was mourning in the village due to the death of Shivanand. The relatives’ eyes were on the American plane, which destroyed the hopes of an ordinary family by firing a missile. Shivanand was one of the millions of Indians who connect with the world through sea and feed their loved ones through their hard work.

The family has raised the question as to how a civilian on board a commercial ship was targeted by the US Army without any clear warning. Their demand is that there should be a complete investigation into the matter and action should be taken against the culprits.

3. Patnala Suresh, Chief Engineer, Andhra Pradesh

The most painful story among the three is probably that of Suresh. 44-year-old Suresh was the chief engineer of the ship. He was the only earning member of his family. Wife Bhargavi, two sons (13 and 10 years old) and two nieces, who were also being brought up by him.

Suresh had spent about 15 years in the sea. Every year he got six months leave, but he rarely took the entire leave. He loved his work. This time too he had left for a small assignment, but due to operational delays and increasing tension, his return was postponed.

When the American missile hit the engine room of the ship on the intervening night of June 9-10, Suresh was investigating a fault in a generator there. The direct target of the missile was the engine room itself. There was no chance of escape from there.

Bhargavi told that their last conversation was on the night of June 8. Suresh had messaged him – ‘Good night. Take care of the children. Next morning, when Bhargavi sent a good morning message as usual, there was no response. Bhargavi said, ‘I kept thinking that maybe he was busy. He is usually not on deck at that time.

Suresh’s family was preparing to celebrate his anniversary on 24th June. This was his 15th anniversary. Suresh had already received his relieving letter and was just waiting for his replacement to return home. That replacement never came.

Bhargavi told BBC, ‘There have been attacks there (in the Gulf region) and some people have been killed. But he told me, ‘Don’t worry about me. I will come home safely and we will celebrate our anniversary properly’

When Bhargavi contacted the superintendent on the morning of 11 June, he was told that 21 crew members had survived, but three were missing. By nightfall, two bodies were found, but Suresh was still missing. Suresh’s body was found the next day at around 1 pm.

Bhargavi told PTI, ‘We were four. Now there are three of us. This one thing sums up everything that this accident took away.

What are the main demands of the families?

The demands of these three families are almost the same. Those are the most basic things that any person needs when he loses someone:

• Immediate return of dead bodies: The first thing every family wants is that the mortal remains of their loved ones should be sent to India as soon as possible, so that their last rites can be performed with respect. Aditya’s family is waiting for him in Himachal, Shivanand’s village is desperate to see him for the last time and Suresh’s wife is still demanding his photograph.
• Better Compensation: Suresh was the only earning member of the family. The future of two children and two nieces now hangs in balance. The families have demanded financial assistance from the government.
• Independent investigation: The families have no confidence that the US military’s own statement will be true. They want an international independent investigation to find out what really happened.
• Accountability: Aditya’s grandfather directly asked that when the captain was warned to proceed, why did he do so? When 21 people can survive, why couldn’t three survive? The families want the truth, not just compensation.

What did America say and what is the ship operator’s side?

US Central Command (CENTCOM) says the ship violated the US blockade, did not stop despite repeated warnings and was carrying Iranian oil. Because of this, the American fighter plane attacked the engine room with a precision missile.

The ship’s operator iOS Marine rejected this claim. The company says that the ship was carrying out completely legitimate commercial work, had nothing to do with Iran, nor had it received any warning before the attack. The company has demanded an independent international investigation into the matter.

What did the Indian government do?

The Indian government immediately took action at the diplomatic level. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and lodged a strong protest. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India conveyed its ‘deep concern’ to the US and demanded a halt to such attacks.

Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal posted on Twitter that efforts were underway to bring back the bodies of the dead sailors and that their deaths were a ‘deep loss’ to India’s maritime community. However, the bodies have not yet reached India. The families are confused as to when their loved ones will return and will they ever know the truth?

The sea area from the Oman coast to the Strait of Hormuz has turned red with blood these days. In the last three days, three different ships carrying Indian sailors have been attacked one after the other. First the American army targeted one tanker, then attacked another and now the third ship also caught fire. So far three Indian sailors have died in these attacks. The Indian government took strict action and expressed its displeasure by summoning the American diplomat. Why is this happening, is it the effect of America-Iran war and how big is this problem for India?

First attack (8 June): accurate hit on MT Marivex

The first attack took place on 8 June. Palau Islands-flagged tanker MT Marivex was attacked by US forces. There were 24 Indian sailors on board this ship. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that they carried out this attack because the ship was going towards Iran in violation of the US blockade. No Indian sailor died in this attack. All 24 sailors were rescued safely with the help of Omani authorities.

According to the Central Command, an F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft fired a precision missile at the engine and steering part of the ship. The ship will no longer be able to go to Iran.

Second attack (9–10 June): Deadly attack on MT Setebelo

The most dangerous and painful attack took place on the intervening night of 9-10 June. The Palau-flagged tanker MT Setebello was again attacked by the US military. This time the situation was more serious. There were a total of 24 Indian sailors on the ship. The US Central Command once again said that the ship did not follow American orders and was carrying oil from Iran.

American fighter plane fired an accurate missile into the engine room of the ship. There was a stampede after this attack. The ship caught fire and started sinking. 21 Indian sailors were rescued by Omani authorities, but three sailors went missing. Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal later confirmed that all three were killed and that their bodies had been recovered.

Central Command posted on This attack is being described as the first case of death of sailors under the American blockade.

Third attack (11 June): MT Jalveer fire

On June 11, Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MT Jalveer ran aground near Shinas port in Oman. There were about 20 Indian sailors on this ship. It is not officially clear whether it was an attack or some other incident, but a fire broke out in the engine room of the ship. The Indian Embassy has confirmed this and contacted Omani authorities. After this incident, the sea route has become even more dangerous for Indian sailors.

Why are these attacks happening on Indian ships?

The real reason for these attacks lies in the ongoing war between America and Iran. Come, let us understand the complete mathematics:

• 28 February 2026: America and Israel started the war by attacking Iran.
• Iran’s action: ERan immediately closed the Strait of Hormuz. This route is the main source of supply of 20% of the world’s oil and gas.
• American Blockade: From April 13, America imposed a blockade on every ship going to Iranian ports. America says that no ship can carry oil from Iran.
• Action so far: The US has destroyed 8 ships, diverted 134 ships and allowed only 42 humanitarian aid ships to go.

When a ship tries to break the American blockade, the American military attacks it. This is the reason why these ships with Indian sailors also came under target.

What does India want?

The Indian government is adopting a very strict stance in this entire matter, but very thoughtfully. Because on one hand there are good relations with America, on the other hand the lives of Indian sailors are also at risk.

The very next day (June 10) of the attack, India called US Ambassador Jason Meeks to the Ministry of External Affairs and lodged a strong protest. Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (America) of the Ministry of External Affairs, talked for about 30 minutes and made it clear that threatening the lives of Indian sailors will not be tolerated.

India also raised this issue in the UN Security Council. India’s permanent representative Harish Parvatneni said, ‘We are strongly against attacks on merchant ships. Many of our citizens work in this area and their lives are in danger.

India’s three main demands:

1. Targeting of merchant ships and civilian infrastructure should be stopped immediately.
2. Movement on international waterways should be restored free and without hindrance.
3. A diplomatic solution to this entire crisis should be found and tension should be reduced.

The Indian government has also said that the attacks on merchant ships are a result of the ongoing conflict in the region.

Why have difficulties increased for India?

This situation has become difficult for India on three fronts:

First difficulty: lives of Indian sailors

Indian sailors have the largest number in the world. According to data from the Indian Shipping Ministry, the proportion of Indians among sailors working on global merchant ships is about 15-20 percent. Thousands of Indian sailors work every day on the sea routes from the Gulf countries to the Strait of Hormuz. This is the reason why when the US Army attacked three ships with Indian crew between June 8 and June 11, this matter emerged as a direct challenge for India.

This is not limited to just these three ships. A total of 10 Indian citizens have been killed since the war between America and Iran started. Manoj Yadav, general secretary of Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), says that if the ships did not follow US instructions, detaining them was a viable option, not precision missile attack on them. The question is whether the American Army was not aware of the nationality of the boats? And even if it was, why a direct missile attack?

Second problem: Crisis on India’s oil supply

The Strait of Hormuz is not a common sea route. This is the route for about 20 percent of the total oil and gas transport in the world, that is, about 20 million barrels of oil passes through this route every day. Now this route has been closed due to the war between America and Iran. Iran has closed Hormuz, while America has imposed a blockade on every ship going to Iranian ports. So far, the US military has destroyed 8 ships, forced 134 ships to change course and allowed only 42 humanitarian aid ships to pass.

India imports about 88-90 percent of its total energy needs. That means nine out of every ten units of energy comes from abroad:

• Crude Oil: About 40-50 percent of India’s total crude oil needs come through Hormuz. This means that out of every two barrels, the path of one barrel passes through this dangerous strait.
• LPG: This is even more worrying. 60 percent of India’s total LPG needs are imported. 90 percent of this import comes through Hormuz. This means that every cylinder that reaches your kitchen passes through this sea route. According to government data, there are more than 33 crore active domestic LPG connections in India and more than 10 crore Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana connections. If this supply stops, everything from kitchen to politics will be affected.
• LNG: About 50 percent of India’s gas requirement is dependent on imports and 55-60 percent of that import comes through Hormuz.
• Decline in oil imports: Before the war (February 2026), India’s oil imports were 5.2 million barrels per day. In March 2026, it fell to 4.5 million barrels per day i.e. a decline of 13.5 percent. In April it fell further to 4.4 million.

The Indian government claims that the country has about 76 days of crude oil stock and 25-30 days of LPG stock. But this stock is only for emergencies. If the Hormuz crisis lasts for months, then the shortage of LPG will start after 25-30 days. The government has already increased the price of domestic cooking gas by Rs 60 per cylinder and this is just the beginning.

Third difficulty: Diplomatic crisis with America

This is a most delicate matter. On one hand, America is a major strategic partner of India and on the other hand, Indian sailors are dying in attacks by the American army. India has to walk on two tightropes simultaneously, that is, it has to protest and also save relationships.

On June 10, 2026, the Government of India summoned Jason Meeks, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, ​​to the Ministry of External Affairs. Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (America) of the Ministry of External Affairs, talked to him for about half an hour and lodged a ‘strong protest’. India made it clear that actions that endanger the lives of Indian sailors will not be tolerated.

The US Embassy tried to calm the issue by saying that they are in touch with India and are helping in finding the missing sailors. But the real question is will America stop these attacks? No such indication has been found yet. US CENTCOM says they are enforcing the Iranian blockade and will take action against ships that do not follow instructions.

After the American attacks, India may have to rethink its foreign policy. If a friendly country can target your citizens, how much can that friendship be trusted? This question is now being raised in Indian strategic circles.

Experts say that the situation is very critical. America and Iran have started attacking each other again. On June 10 also there were attacks between the two countries. Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to completely close the Strait of Hormuz, while America says that it has control. The Indian government is now making a new strategy. Talks are going on at the diplomatic level.