Deonandan Prasad Singh, an additional chief engineer (superintendent), of MT Safesea Vishnu, died on Wednesday following an attack on the Marshall Island-flagged tanker. The incident occurred during ship-to-ship cargo loading operations near the Khor Al Zubair Port, near Basra, Iraq, amid ongoing strife in the region. This was confirmed through a press note issued by the directorate general of shipping.. A rescuer guides a man out of a lifeboat, after Iranian explosive-laden boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters setting them ablaze (REUTERS). The tanker, which was carrying around 48,000 metric tonnes of naphtha, was struck by an unidentified object. Preliminary reports indicate that a white-coloured unmanned speedboat carrying explosives approached the vessel from the starboard side and rammed into it, resulting in a major fire onboard.. Singh, a native of Bihar and a resident of Kandivali, is survived by his wife and two children. He was in his mid-50s.. Singh’s brother-in-law Dr Chandan Kumar said, “We learnt about his death from his company. However, the shipping ministry has not told us anything. His son, who resides out of Mumbai, will reach the city on Friday. We are all in state of shock.”. Singh had earlier worked with Neom Maritime, United Ocean Ship Management, Bernard Schulte Ship Management, Samson Maritime and Shipping Corporation. The directorate general of shipping has been in touch with Singh’s family, and it is believed his wife is in a state of shock.. Following the incident, all crew members abandoned the vessel and entered the water for safety. They were subsequently rescued by an STS tug operating in the vicinity.. The Iraqi Coast Guard evacuated the remaining 27 crew members – which include 15 Indian and 12 Filipino nationals. They have been safely transported to a small island near the Port of Basra.. The Embassy of India in Baghdad is coordinating with Iraqi authorities to ensure the welfare of the Indian nationals. 

 Deonandan Prasad Singh, an additional chief engineer (superintendent), of MT Safesea Vishnu, died on Wednesday following an attack on the Marshall Island-flagged tanker. The incident occurred during ship-to-ship cargo loading operations near the Khor Al Zubair Port, near Basra, Iraq, amid ongoing strife in the region. This was confirmed through a press note issued by the directorate general of shipping.. A rescuer guides a man out of a lifeboat, after Iranian explosive-laden boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters setting them ablaze (REUTERS). The tanker, which was carrying around 48,000 metric tonnes of naphtha, was struck by an unidentified object. Preliminary reports indicate that a white-coloured unmanned speedboat carrying explosives approached the vessel from the starboard side and rammed into it, resulting in a major fire onboard.. Singh, a native of Bihar and a resident of Kandivali, is survived by his wife and two children. He was in his mid-50s.. Singh’s brother-in-law Dr Chandan Kumar said, “We learnt about his death from his company. However, the shipping ministry has not told us anything. His son, who resides out of Mumbai, will reach the city on Friday. We are all in state of shock.”. Singh had earlier worked with Neom Maritime, United Ocean Ship Management, Bernard Schulte Ship Management, Samson Maritime and Shipping Corporation. The directorate general of shipping has been in touch with Singh’s family, and it is believed his wife is in a state of shock.. Following the incident, all crew members abandoned the vessel and entered the water for safety. They were subsequently rescued by an STS tug operating in the vicinity.. The Iraqi Coast Guard evacuated the remaining 27 crew members – which include 15 Indian and 12 Filipino nationals. They have been safely transported to a small island near the Port of Basra.. The Embassy of India in Baghdad is coordinating with Iraqi authorities to ensure the welfare of the Indian nationals. 

 Two people who were reportedly abducted on Wednesday were found dead on Thursday, after 21 civilians who were allegedly captured in retaliation along the Ukhrul-Imphal route were safely released, chief minister Yumnam Khemchand informed the ongoing Manipur budget session.. Congress MLA K Meghachandra sought clarification from Manipur home minister K Govindas regarding the government’s initiatives to prevent further escalation following reports of a heavy exchange of gunfire at Thawai village. (PTI/File). He said the case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).. The deceased were identified as Thengin Baite of Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district and Thangboimang Khongsai of Shangkai in Ukhrul district. The CM made the statement on Thursday during the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in Imphal.. Raising the issue through a calling attention motion, Congress MLA K Meghachandra sought clarification from Manipur home minister K Govindas regarding the government’s initiatives to prevent further escalation following reports of a heavy exchange of gunfire at Thawai village and the abduction of civilians along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. Responding to the motion, Govindas informed the House that a gunfight reportedly took place between two armed groups from around 6.30 am to 9 am on Wednesday in the Mapithel hill range of Ukhrul district. The gunfight occurred after two Kuki villagers were allegedly abducted by unidentified armed groups.. During the exchange of fire, one civilian, Lalminthang Haokip, 40, sustained a minor bullet injury and was evacuated to a health centre in Kangpokpi district for treatment, the minister said. He further informed the House that in retaliation, 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community who were travelling along the Ukhrul-Imphal road were abducted by some members of the Kuki community at Shangkai village in Ukhrul district.. Also Read: Uphill task: One month of Manipur govt navigating unique challenges. Govindas said CM Khemchand held a meeting with governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation.. Following the meeting, the CM issued a statement calling for safe, immediate and unconditional release of the abducted civilians. With the intervention of the district administration and civil society organisations, the 21 civilians were safely released on Thursday, he said. 

 Two people who were reportedly abducted on Wednesday were found dead on Thursday, after 21 civilians who were allegedly captured in retaliation along the Ukhrul-Imphal route were safely released, chief minister Yumnam Khemchand informed the ongoing Manipur budget session.. Congress MLA K Meghachandra sought clarification from Manipur home minister K Govindas regarding the government’s initiatives to prevent further escalation following reports of a heavy exchange of gunfire at Thawai village. (PTI/File). He said the case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).. The deceased were identified as Thengin Baite of Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district and Thangboimang Khongsai of Shangkai in Ukhrul district. The CM made the statement on Thursday during the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in Imphal.. Raising the issue through a calling attention motion, Congress MLA K Meghachandra sought clarification from Manipur home minister K Govindas regarding the government’s initiatives to prevent further escalation following reports of a heavy exchange of gunfire at Thawai village and the abduction of civilians along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. Responding to the motion, Govindas informed the House that a gunfight reportedly took place between two armed groups from around 6.30 am to 9 am on Wednesday in the Mapithel hill range of Ukhrul district. The gunfight occurred after two Kuki villagers were allegedly abducted by unidentified armed groups.. During the exchange of fire, one civilian, Lalminthang Haokip, 40, sustained a minor bullet injury and was evacuated to a health centre in Kangpokpi district for treatment, the minister said. He further informed the House that in retaliation, 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community who were travelling along the Ukhrul-Imphal road were abducted by some members of the Kuki community at Shangkai village in Ukhrul district.. Also Read: Uphill task: One month of Manipur govt navigating unique challenges. Govindas said CM Khemchand held a meeting with governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation.. Following the meeting, the CM issued a statement calling for safe, immediate and unconditional release of the abducted civilians. With the intervention of the district administration and civil society organisations, the 21 civilians were safely released on Thursday, he said. 

 Two people who were reportedly abducted on Wednesday were found dead on Thursday, after 21 civilians who were allegedly captured in retaliation along the Ukhrul-Imphal route were safely released, chief minister Yumnam Khemchand informed the ongoing Manipur budget session.. Congress MLA K Meghachandra sought clarification from Manipur home minister K Govindas regarding the government’s initiatives to prevent further escalation following reports of a heavy exchange of gunfire at Thawai village. (PTI/File). He said the case will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).. The deceased were identified as Thengin Baite of Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district and Thangboimang Khongsai of Shangkai in Ukhrul district. The CM made the statement on Thursday during the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in Imphal.. Raising the issue through a calling attention motion, Congress MLA K Meghachandra sought clarification from Manipur home minister K Govindas regarding the government’s initiatives to prevent further escalation following reports of a heavy exchange of gunfire at Thawai village and the abduction of civilians along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. Responding to the motion, Govindas informed the House that a gunfight reportedly took place between two armed groups from around 6.30 am to 9 am on Wednesday in the Mapithel hill range of Ukhrul district. The gunfight occurred after two Kuki villagers were allegedly abducted by unidentified armed groups.. During the exchange of fire, one civilian, Lalminthang Haokip, 40, sustained a minor bullet injury and was evacuated to a health centre in Kangpokpi district for treatment, the minister said. He further informed the House that in retaliation, 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community who were travelling along the Ukhrul-Imphal road were abducted by some members of the Kuki community at Shangkai village in Ukhrul district.. Also Read: Uphill task: One month of Manipur govt navigating unique challenges. Govindas said CM Khemchand held a meeting with governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation.. Following the meeting, the CM issued a statement calling for safe, immediate and unconditional release of the abducted civilians. With the intervention of the district administration and civil society organisations, the 21 civilians were safely released on Thursday, he said.