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Published October 31, 2026last updated October 31, 2026Two vessels carrying Indian crew members have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz over the past two days as Iran steps up attacks on shipping. DW has more.
https://p.dw.com/p/5OtLt
What you need to know
- The attack on the Panama-flagged Louise 1 occurred around 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) northeast of Oman
- India's Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said all Indian seafarers aboard the vessel were safe and had sustained no injuries
- India successfully launches satellite to boost indigenous GPS alternative
Here are the top headlines from India on Saturday, October 31:
Skip next section India successfully launches satellite to boost indigenous GPS alternativeOctober 31, 2026
India successfully launches satellite to boost indigenous GPS alternative
India's space agency successfully launched a navigation satellite on Friday night to strengthen the country's indigenous alternative to GPS.
The NVS-03 satellite, the third in Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) next-generation navigation series, was carried into orbit by the "GSLV-F18" rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, located on an island in the Bay of Bengal.
According to ISRO the "the GSLV-F18 vehicle placed NVS-03 satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit."
An earlier statement by the agency said the satellite is "intended to augment the NavIC constellation and support continuity of navigation services."
It is designed to provide navigation coverage across India and up to 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) beyond its borders.
NavIC is seen as an alternative to the Global Positioning System (GPS) system owned by the United States government and developed to reduce India's dependence on foreign navigation systems.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the successful launch as a "great accomplishment."
Edited by:Wesley Rahn
https://p.dw.com/p/5OtOP
Skip next section Strait of Hormuz attacks: Two tankers carrying Indians hit by mines in two daysOctober 31, 2026
Strait of Hormuz attacks: Two tankers carrying Indians hit by mines in two days
An oil tanker carrying 27 Indian seafarers was targeted with limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz.A small boat attached two mines to the vessel's hull, causing a fire in the engine room, maritime security sources said on Friday.
Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said all Indian seafarers aboard the vessel were safe and had sustained no injuries. Sonowal also added that two Indians aboard another tanker that faced a separate attack on October 29 were also safe.
The attack on the Panama-flagged Louise 1 occurred on Thursday, around 25 nautical miles (46 km) northeast of Oman's Khasab.
The fire was extinguished, the crew was safe and there was no environmental impact, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The incident marks the first known successful use of limpet mines against a vessel in the waterway since the US-Iran war began in February.
The identity of those behind the attacks was not immediately known.
The Strait of Hormuz,a vital chokepoint for oil and gas transport, is seeing attacks on ships at the highest level since the Iran war began, according to US-based think tank Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Incidentally, the Louise 1 was hit earlier with naval drones in the Black Sea by Ukrainian forces over its alleged role in transporting Russian oil and being part of the so-called shadow fleet of tankers deployed by Moscow.
Iran offers plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz within 7 days
Edited by:Sean Sinico
https://p.dw.com/p/5OtN6
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage!October 31, 2026
Welcome to our coverage!
This is Shakeel from DW's New Delhi studio bringing you the top updates from across India on the last day of the coldest October in 75 years. Brrr…must be true!
On a more serious note, two vessels with Indian crew members were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz in the past two days. Thankfully, the Indian government has said all sailors were safe.
Meanwhile, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the NVS-03 satellite to strengthen its indigenous navigation system and reduce reliance on the US-owned GPS.
We'll have all this and more here. And you can review yesterday's India news round-up here.
Edited by:Sean Sinico
https://p.dw.com/p/5OtN7
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Source: Deutsche Welle · Shakeel Sobhan
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