India, March 6 -- They posed for selfies, took photos of the beach in India, unaware that they will be caught in the crossfire of Israel-US and Israel fighting off the Sri Lankan coast days later. These reportedly were some of the 87 sailors of the ill-fated Iranian naval ship Iris Dena who died on Sunday after a US submarine strike.

Iris Dena had taken part in a naval exercise organised by India in the Bay of Bengal from February 18 to 25 and was on its way back, according to the drill's website and Sri Lankan officials.

Sri Lankan military rescuers responded to an early-morning distress call from the frigate on Wednesday and found 32 survivors. Sri Lanka initially denied reports of strike, the attack was confirmed later.

Several are ...