India Advises Nationals in Saudi Arabia to Stay Indoors Amid Aerial Attack Threats
Embassy issues fresh safety guidelines as missile and drone attacks disrupt flights; one Indian national killed and 11 injured in Riyadh airport attack.
DUBAI, October 15: India on Thursday renewed its safety advisory for nationals in Saudi Arabia, urging them to follow instructions issued by local authorities and remain indoors in the event of an aerial attack amid heightened security concerns in the Gulf region.
The advisory comes amid escalating tensions following a series of deadly drone and missile attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, attributed to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh also cautioned citizens against recording, publishing or circulating information related to efforts to intercept missiles and drones. It warned that such activities could expose individuals to legal consequences under Saudi Arabian laws.
Providing an update on Indian nationals injured in the October 10 attack at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, the embassy said two people remained in the intensive care unit (ICU), one was being treated in the high-dependency unit (HDU), and three others were recovering in a general ward. One injured person was discharged from hospital on Thursday.
An Indian national was killed in the incident, while several others sustained injuries, including 11 Indian citizens.
Flight operations at Riyadh airport remained suspended, while airports in Dammam, Jeddah and Medina continued functioning with some disruptions, according to the embassy.
Indian airlines Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and IndiGo had suspended services to and from Saudi Arabia until October 17. Meanwhile, Saudi carrier Saudia continued operating scheduled flights from Dammam, Jeddah and Medina. Flynas was also operating scheduled services on the Dammam–Lucknow route.
The embassy advised Indian nationals who needed to leave Saudi Arabia urgently to consider flights departing from neighbouring countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. However, travellers opting for these alternatives would have to arrange the required visas and meet the entry requirements of the respective countries.
Those planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, including pilgrims undertaking Umrah, were urged to remain alert to possible last-minute flight cancellations and schedule changes. The embassy advised passengers to stay in contact with their airlines and verify flight status before travelling to airports.
To assist Indians affected by the disruptions, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah announced the establishment of an additional control room at the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office (IHPO) in Makkah. The existing 24-hour control room in Jeddah will continue providing assistance.
The consulate had earlier advised Indian nationals, particularly Umrah pilgrims travelling through Jeddah and Medina, to maintain regular communication with airlines and confirm their flight details before leaving for the airport.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed throughout the year, unlike the annual Haj pilgrimage, which takes place during specific dates in the Islamic calendar.
Indian authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to citizens facing travel difficulties. Nationals in Saudi Arabia have been urged to prioritise their safety, comply with official instructions and remain updated through embassy and consulate advisories.
