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A family in Sri Ganganagar is enduring a desperate wait for news after reports emerged that a local Merchant Navy officer has been caught up in the escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Sanjay Mahar, a 38-year-old Second Officer, is among the crew of the Liberian-flagged container ship Epaminondas, which was intercepted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier this week.

 

A local MLA, Jaideep Bihani, took formal action on Thursday, April 23, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to demand immediate diplomatic intervention. In a video message, the MLA confirmed that the vessel had been detained and appealed to the central government — including Home Minister Amit Shah — to use India’s diplomatic weight to secure the safe release of Mahar and his fellow crew members.

 

Mahar, a resident of Riddhi-Siddhi Colony, had only recently joined the ship. His family noted that he travelled to Dubai approximately three weeks ago and had been on board for just four days when the vessel was seized. The Epaminondas was en route to Mundra Port in Gujarat and was expected to dock on Thursday, but it was halted mid-journey after being denied passage through the strategically sensitive strait.

 

According to his brother, Subhash Mahar, the situation turned critical about 30 hours ago. As the ship attempted to navigate forward, it was surrounded by Iranian forces. Reports of gunfire during the standoff have sparked deep alarm, and the crew — comprising 21 nationals from India, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka — reportedly retreated to secure areas of the vessel for safety.

 

Before communication was severed, Sanjay managed to send a video showing a visibly anxious crew. With internet and satellite services now suspended, the family has lost all contact. They are now pleading with the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene urgently, hoping that strong government action will bring the 21 stranded sailors home safely.

 

Also read: 'Transit Hormuz only when we say': Indian Navy to vessels