New Delhi, June 11: Three Indian sailors, who were reportedly missing after the US forces attacked a vessel off the coast of Oman earlier this week, have been confirmed dead in the deadly attacks.

The killing of Indian seafarers was confirmed by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, who called it a “profound loss for India’s maritime community”.

The minister said that the bodies of all three missing sailors have been recovered. He also informed that steps are being taken to repatriate the bodies of fallen seafarers for their last rites.

“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified,” Sonowal said in a post on X.

Preliminary inputs, after the attack on the oil vessel, said that 21 Indian sailors were rescued from the ship while three seafarers were reported missing.

The Union Minister described the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello as “deeply unfortunate” and said that the government was standing by the bereaved families in this difficult hour.

“Modi government stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin. I have directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased for their final rites,” he said in the post on X.

The oil tanker had a total crew of 28 members, including 24 Indian nationals and four foreign nationals– two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian– when it came under a US military attack in the Gulf of Oman. The US, justifying the attack, said that the vessel violated the prescribed instructions and hence came under its radar.

Ajmer, June 10: Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Minority Morcha on Wednesday offered a ceremonial chadar at the Dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishty in Rajasthan’s Ajmer to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s record as India’s longest serving head of an elected government.

Speaking to media, BJP Minority Morcha’s Rajasthan President Hameed khan Mewati said: “We prayed for the long age of PM Modi and for peace and brotherhood to prevail in the country.”

He added that BJP Minority Morcha workers have presented ceremonial ‘chadars’ at Dargahs in all districts of the state.

“PM Modi has worked for the development of the minorities, by launching several welfare schemes. The minority section of the society has seen immense development from where it was in 2014,” he said.

“We want the country to achieve PM Modi’s dream of ‘Viksit Bharat’. The kind of work done by the government for the minority section, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, is historic,” Mewati added.

He asserted that PM Modi understands the pain of the poor and hence works accordingly to provide the facilities required by them.

“He (PM Modi) has launched schemes without differentiating between the Hindus and Muslims. His goal is to ensure that all citizens are able to benefit from the government’s initiatives,” he said.

Abid Ali Chaudhary, National Co-In Charge of ‘Sufi Samvad Maha Abhiyan’, said that prayers were organised in all Dargahs and madrassas across the country for PM Modi’s long life and to mark the successful tenure of his government.

Echoing similar view, Mumbai BJP Minority Morcha President Wasim Khan said: “These 12 years are not merely a count of days; they represent a long and highly impactful tenure. During these 12 years, he worked tirelessly for all communities, all regions, and every section of society, contributing significantly to their welfare, development, and progress.”

He added that PM Modi has united the entire country as one.

“Following the guiding principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,’ Prime Minister Modi has led this nation toward development. It is our wish that he continues to be the Prime Minister of this country,” Wasim Khan said.

The Mumbai BJP Minority Morcha President offered prayers at Mahim Dargah to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure of India’s longest-serving Prime Minister.

Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, All India Muslim Jamaat President, also said that PM Modi has maintained his promise of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas’.

Mumbai, June 10: The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding the immediate expulsion of Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan from both the State Cabinet and the party.

The Congress accused Mahajan of making “anti-national” remarks and “insulting the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces” during his recent visit to Punjab.

The controversy erupted after Mahajan attended the 42nd anniversary commemoration of ‘Operation Blue Star’ on June 6 at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Chowk Mehta of Amritsar.

Attending the event as a representative of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mahajan termed June 6 a “kaala din” (black day), strongly condemned the 1984 military action, and criticised the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for “forcibly” sending the Army into the sacred shrine.

Reacting sharply to the developments, MPCC President Harshwardhan Sapkal termed Mahajan’s statements “highly irresponsible” and detrimental to national interest.

“By questioning Operation Blue Star — a mission undertaken to safeguard the country’s unity and national security — he has effectively undermined India’s fight against terrorism,” Sapkal said on Tuesday.

“Girish Mahajan, who has taken an anti-national position, should be immediately removed from the Maharashtra Cabinet as well as from the BJP.”

Countering the Minister’s narrative, Sapkal emphasised that ‘Operation Blue Star’ was a necessary military action against armed Khalistani separatists conspiring to break up India, rather than an action against any religion.

“The Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi took this tough decision despite being fully aware that it could endanger her own life, prioritising the unity and integrity of the nation above all else. Subsequently, she was assassinated by Khalistani extremists. Maharashtra’s son, General Arun Kumar Vaidya, who led the operation, was also targeted and assassinated by terrorists. Girish Mahajan’s remarks amount to disrespecting the sacrifices made by these great individuals,” he said.

Sapkal claimed that Mahajan’s remarks have exposed the “anti-national mindset” of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying that the country could have faced disintegration had the military operation not been carried out.

He also brought up the historical involvement of top security officials to highlight the contradiction in Mahajan’s stance on Tuesday.

“Notably, the country’s current National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, was also involved in security operations related to this mission. Will Girish Mahajan now condemn his role as well? Does he have the courage to demand Doval’s removal from the post of National Security Advisor?” Sapkal asked.

He took severe exception to Mahajan comparing the Indian military operation to the historical invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, accusing him of attempting to generate sympathy for terrorists and glorifying Khalistani separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, whose photos were displayed on the stage backdrop at the event.

The MPCC Chief has now placed the onus on the top brass of the state and Central governments to clarify their stance.

“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis must clarify whether sending a state representative to an event glorifying Bhindranwale reflects the official policy of the Maharashtra government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah must state whether they agree with Mahajan’s position. If the leadership does not align with Minister Mahajan, they publicly condemn his remarks and tender an apology to the nation and the Indian Armed Forces,” he demanded.

Sapkal concluded by alleging that the BJP leadership appears willing to compromise on national security, sovereignty, and unity for the sake of “vote-bank politics,” adding that Mahajan must immediately apologise to the country and its soldiers for his remarks.