DUBAI, OCT 16: India has issued an updated advisory urging its nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow local authorities’ instructions and remain indoors in the event of an aerial attack amid rising security concerns in the Gulf region.
The advisory comes amid a series of deadly drone and missile attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, reportedly carried out by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has also cautioned Indian nationals against filming, publishing or sharing information related to missile and drone interception operations, warning that such activities could attract legal consequences under local laws.
Indian Nationals Injured in Riyadh Airport Attack
Providing an update on Indian nationals injured in the October 10 attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, the embassy said two people remain in intensive care, one is being treated in a high-dependency unit, and three others are recovering in a general ward. One injured person was discharged on Thursday.
An Indian national was killed in the attack, while several others were injured, including 11 Indian nationals.
Flight Operations Disrupted
Flight operations at Riyadh airport remain suspended, while services at Dammam, Jeddah and Medina airports continue with some disruptions, according to the embassy.
Indian carriers, including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and IndiGo, have suspended flights to and from Saudi Arabia until October 17.
Meanwhile, Saudia continues to operate scheduled flights from Dammam, Jeddah and Medina. Flynas is also operating scheduled services on the Dammam–Lucknow route.
Indian nationals who need to leave Saudi Arabia urgently may consider flights departing from neighbouring countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. However, travellers must arrange the necessary visas to enter those countries themselves.
The embassy has also advised people planning to travel to Saudi Arabia, including for Umrah, to anticipate possible last-minute flight disruptions and check travel updates before departure.
Additional Assistance for Indian Nationals and Umrah Pilgrims
To assist Indian citizens affected by flight disruptions, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah has established an additional control room at the Indian Haj Pilgrims Office (IHPO) in Makkah.
The new facility will particularly assist Umrah pilgrims facing travel difficulties. The consulate’s existing 24-hour control room in Jeddah will continue to operate.
Earlier, the consulate had advised Indian nationals travelling to or from Jeddah and Medina to remain in regular contact with their airlines and verify flight status before heading to airports.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage that can be performed throughout the year, unlike the annual Haj pilgrimage, and attracts visitors from across the world to the holy city of Makkah.
The Indian Embassy has urged all nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert, follow official safety instructions and monitor updates from diplomatic missions and airlines as the regional security situation develops.
