New Delhi: India on Thursday advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant, stay indoors when necessary and follow instructions from local authorities as attacks on the Kingdom’s airports raised civilian safety concerns. The warning, issued by the Indian embassy in Riyadh, is a precautionary advisory rather than an instruction to leave Saudi Arabia.
“In view of the current situation, all Indian nationals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised to remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors as necessary, and follow the instructions issued by local authorities through official channels,” the Indian embassy in Riyadh said.
The advisory follows attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, along with renewed threats against commercial aviation. Saudi Arabia is home to approximately 2.74 million Indians, making the security situation a direct concern for its substantial expatriate community.
The embassy urged Indians not to circulate or repost videos or news about the unfolding events and to rely on official Saudi channels. It said the embassy in Riyadh, the consulate general in Jeddah and outsourced VFS services were functioning normally.
India also condemned the attacks targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The Ministry of External Affairs described the targeting of civilian infrastructure as “completely unacceptable” and expressed condolences to victims’ families and solidarity with Saudi Arabia, as RNA Media reported earlier.
Houthi attacks leave three dead, 36 injured
Saudi Arabia’s general authority of civil aviation said attacks on October 6 and 7 killed three people and injured 36. Two foreign residents were killed and 28 injured at Abha, while one person died and eight were injured at Riyadh airport.
On Thursday, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed another ballistic missile strike against King Khalid International Airport. Saudi authorities had not confirmed that the missile hit its target, while the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two missiles heading towards Riyadh and another aimed at Khamis Mushait. Debris damaged a kindergarten and medical facility, according to Saudi civil defence officials.
As RNA Media reported earlier, the Houthis also warned international airlines about operating in Saudi airspace, increasing disruption to passenger services.
Indian airlines suspend Riyadh flights
Air India and Air India Express suspended Riyadh services through October 10, while IndiGo announced cancellations through October 9. An Air India flight from Delhi turned back on Thursday as a precaution. These were airline safety decisions, not part of the embassy’s advisory.
Indians needing assistance can contact the embassy’s 24-hour Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra at Saudi toll-free number 8002471234. The mission said further updates would be issued through its official channels.