Manama, March 9 (NationPress) The Indian Embassy in Bahrain has urged its citizens to stay alert and exercise caution in light of the current regional tensions.

Indian nationals were advised to regularly check for updates and advisories from both the Embassy and local authorities. The Embassy also provided helpline numbers for immediate assistance and recommended that individuals transit through Saudi Arabia from Bahrain.

In a statement shared on X, the Indian Embassy emphasized, "Transit Through Saudi Arabia from Bahrain. Special attention is being given to Indian nationals who are stranded, particularly those holding tourist or short-term visas. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is securing individual transit visa approvals from the Saudi Government. Thus, transit visa applications are being directed from the Embassy of India in Bahrain to the Embassy of India in Riyadh."

The Embassy also outlined a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for transit via Saudi Arabia. Travellers must possess a confirmed air ticket for their journey to India, and they are required to present the Note Verbale/formal note issued by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to Saudi immigration officials at the entry point into Saudi Arabia.

According to the Embassy's advisory, the Saudi transit visa will be valid for a period of 72-96 hours. Individuals are encouraged to depart Saudi Arabia for India within this timeframe. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain has suggested that travellers plan their arrival at the Saudi checkpoint preferably during daylight hours. An email address was also shared for Indian nationals seeking assistance with transit visa facilitation.

This advisory comes in the wake of ongoing hostilities in West Asia, which escalated following joint US-Israel airstrikes on Iran on February 28. This provoked a significant response from Iran, including drone and missile strikes targeting US interests, regional capitals, and allied forces throughout West Asia.

In a related update, the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) General Command announced on Monday that its air defense systems have successfully intercepted Iranian attacks. Reports indicate that BDF Forces have shot down 102 ballistic missiles and 171 drones aimed at Bahrain since the conflict began, according to the Bahrain News Agency.

The BDF General Command praised the readiness and operational effectiveness demonstrated by its personnel during this challenging time, asserting that the nation's airspace remains secure.

Citizens have been advised to stay indoors and only venture out if absolutely necessary, taking all necessary precautions. The BDF urged the public to avoid impacted areas and suspicious objects, refrain from filming military operations or debris sites, and to rely solely on official channels for updates and advisories, as reported by the Bahrain News Agency.

The General Command condemned the targeting of civilian areas and private properties with ballistic missiles and drones as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter. Such indiscriminate assaults pose a direct threat to regional peace and security.