Indian national dies after Riyadh airport attack; Jaishankar condoles
Synopsis
A Hyderabadi man, Mohammed Yusuf Ali, has become the first confirmed Indian fatality of the Houthi missile strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport — an attack that killed 12 and wounded 309. With his two sons and an aunt also injured, and 11 Indians hurt in total, India's diplomatic machinery is in overdrive as New Delhi issues a rare, sharply-worded condemnation of the strikes.
Key Takeaways
Mohammed Yusuf Ali from Hyderabad died on 11 October 2025 after being injured in the Riyadh airport attack on 10 October .
His two sons and an aunt were also injured in the same attack.
A total of 11 Indians were injured in the assault on King Khalid International Airport .
The attack, claimed to be carried out by Yemen's Houthi group , killed 12 people and injured 309 others in total.
External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar and the MEA expressed condolences and condemned the strikes as 'completely unacceptable.' The Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia is coordinating repatriation of mortal remains and remains in contact with families of all injured Indian nationals.
An Indian national, identified as Mohammed Yusuf Ali from Hyderabad, has died after sustaining injuries in the Houthi missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 10 October 2025, the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia confirmed on Sunday, 11 October. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed grief and pledged full consular support to the bereaved family.
Death Confirmed, Family Also Injured
The Embassy announced the death in a post on X, stating: 'It is learnt that one Indian national injured in the Riyadh attack has unfortunately lost his life today. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. We are in touch with the family and will provide all support for ensuring the early repatriation of mortal remains.'
Ali's two sons and an aunt were also among those injured in the attack, compounding the family's ordeal. The Embassy had earlier confirmed that 11 Indians in total were among those injured, with officials liaising with local authorities and hospital administration on their behalf.
Jaishankar Extends Condolences
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar posted on X: 'Deeply grieved at the loss of life of an Indian national in the Riyadh attack. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Embassy will extend all possible assistance.' The minister's statement underscored New Delhi's active monitoring of the situation affecting the large Indian diaspora community in Saudi Arabia, estimated at over 2.4 million people.
The Attack: Scale and Context
The assault on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday afternoon, 10 October, killed 12 people and injured 309 others, according to Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation. The attack is part of an ongoing exchange of strikes between Yemen's Houthi group and Saudi Arabia targeting major airport infrastructure — a pattern that has intensified in recent days. This is among the deadliest single incidents in this latest round of Houthi-Saudi hostilities.
India Condemns the Attack
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued a formal condemnation, calling the strikes 'completely unacceptable.' The MEA statement read: 'We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the dastardly attack on October 10, which have led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property.'
New Delhi also expressed solidarity with Riyadh, stating: 'We stand in solidarity with the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defence of their sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy returns to the region at the earliest.' India called for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure — a formulation that reflects India's broader diplomatic posture of non-alignment while condemning civilian harm.
What Happens Next
The Embassy has stated it is coordinating the early repatriation of Mohammed Yusuf Ali's mortal remains to Hyderabad. Consular officials remain in contact with the families of all 11 injured Indian nationals. As the Houthi-Saudi confrontation shows no immediate sign of de-escalation, India's large diaspora presence in the kingdom remains a live consular concern, and the MEA is expected to issue further advisories should the security situation deteriorate.
Point of View
Using the word 'dastardly,' yet the statement carefully avoids naming the Houthis by name — a diplomatic hedge that reflects New Delhi's parallel engagement with Tehran, which backs the group. The MEA's call for 'immediate cessation of hostilities' is directed at all parties, but the operative solidarity line — 'with the people and government of Saudi Arabia' — signals whose side India's commercial and remittance interests lie on. How New Delhi balances that posture as the conflict widens will test its much-vaunted 'strategic autonomy.'
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the Indian national killed in the Riyadh airport attack?
The deceased was Mohammed Yusuf Ali, an Indian national from Hyderabad. He was injured in the Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 10 October and died on 11 October 2025. His two sons and an aunt were also injured in the same attack.
How many Indians were injured in the Riyadh airport attack?
A total of 11 Indians were reported injured in the attack on King Khalid International Airport, according to the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia. Consular officials are in contact with all affected families and hospital authorities.
What was the scale of the Riyadh airport attack on 10 October?
The attack killed 12 people and injured 309 others, according to Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation. It was part of an ongoing exchange of strikes between Yemen's Houthi group and Saudi Arabia targeting major airports.
What did India say in response to the Riyadh airport attack?
India's Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the attacks as 'completely unacceptable,' called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar separately conveyed condolences to the family of the deceased Indian national.
What assistance is the Indian Embassy providing to affected families?
The Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia is coordinating the early repatriation of Mohammed Yusuf Ali's mortal remains to Hyderabad and remains in contact with the families of all 11 injured Indians. Officials have also liaised with local and hospital authorities to monitor the condition of those injured.
