India Embassy in Saudi Arabia advises nationals to stay alert amid airport attacks
Synopsis
With three dead and 36 injured after attacks on two major Saudi airports, India's Embassy in Riyadh has issued an urgent advisory to its 2.4-million-strong diaspora — urging them to stay indoors, follow local authorities, and avoid sharing unverified content. The MEA has called the targeting of civilian infrastructure 'completely unacceptable' and extended formal solidarity with Riyadh.
Key Takeaways
The Embassy of India in Riyadh issued an advisory on 8 October 2026 urging Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and stay indoors as necessary.
Attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport on 6 and 7 October killed 3 civilians and injured 36 others of multiple nationalities.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the strikes, calling targeting of civilian infrastructure 'completely unacceptable.' The MEA expressed condolences to bereaved families and solidarity with the Saudi government .
Indian nationals were advised not to circulate or repost videos and news related to the ongoing events.
The Embassy of India in Riyadh on Thursday, 8 October 2026, issued a formal advisory urging all Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and vigilant following a series of attacks on civilian infrastructure, including two major international airports. The advisory comes days after strikes on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed three civilians and wounded 36 others.
What the Embassy Advisory Says
'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 Embassy stated. Nationals were also 'strongly advised to refrain from circulating or reposting any videos or news related to the ongoing events,' the advisory added — a precautionary measure aimed at preventing the spread of unverified information during an active security situation.
Attack Details: Casualties at Both Airports
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed on Wednesday that attacks on 6 and 7 October struck both airports, resulting in three deaths and 36 injuries spanning multiple nationalities. At Abha International Airport, two female residents — of Moroccan and Algerian nationalities — were killed, while 28 people were injured, including Saudi citizens, a Bangladeshi resident, and a Filipino resident, with injuries ranging from minor to critical. At King Khalid International Airport, one resident of Sudanese nationality was killed and 8 others were injured — comprising 5 Saudi citizens, 2 Egyptian residents, and 1 Pakistani resident. The GACA noted that emergency response teams activated established protocols immediately following both incidents.
India Condemns the Strikes, Extends Solidarity
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a sharp condemnation, calling the targeting of civilian airports 'completely unacceptable.' 'India condemns the attacks over the past few days targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries,' the MEA said in an official statement. The ministry extended condolences to bereaved families and expressed solidarity with the Saudi government and its people. 'We express solidarity and stand with the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,' the statement read.
Significance for the Indian Community in Saudi Arabia
India maintains one of the largest diaspora communities in Saudi Arabia, with an estimated 2.4 million Indian nationals living and working across the kingdom — making it among the top sources of remittances back to India. Any prolonged security situation in the Gulf directly affects not only the safety of this community but also economic ties and bilateral labour mobility. This advisory follows established diplomatic protocols India has used during past regional escalations in the Gulf.
What Indian Nationals Should Do
The Embassy has urged residents to stay connected with official channels and avoid exposure to unverified information circulating on social media. Individuals in need of emergency consular assistance are advised to contact the Embassy's helpline in Riyadh or the respective consulates in Jeddah and Al Khobar. The situation remains fluid, and further advisories may follow depending on developments on the ground.
Point of View
Details that matter greatly to the roughly 2.4 million Indians whose livelihoods depend on regional stability. The instruction to avoid reposting content, while standard diplomatic caution, also underscores how rapidly misinformation spreads in diaspora networks during crises. If the security situation escalates, India will face pressure to consider evacuation protocols — a complex logistical and diplomatic undertaking it has navigated before, most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic and earlier Gulf crises.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has India's Embassy in Saudi Arabia advised Indian nationals to do?
The Embassy of India in Riyadh has advised all Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert, stay indoors as necessary, and follow instructions from local authorities. It has also urged them not to circulate or repost videos or news related to the ongoing situation.
What happened at Abha and King Khalid International Airports?
Attacks on 6 and 7 October struck both Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing three civilians and injuring 36 others of various nationalities including Saudi citizens and residents from Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Egypt, and Pakistan.
What did India's Ministry of External Affairs say about the Saudi airport attacks?
The MEA condemned the attacks, calling the targeting of civilian infrastructure 'completely unacceptable.' It extended condolences to families of those killed, wished a speedy recovery to the injured, and expressed solidarity with the people and government of Saudi Arabia.
How many Indian nationals live in Saudi Arabia?
An estimated 2.4 million Indian nationals reside in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the largest Indian diaspora communities in the world. Their safety and welfare are directly relevant to the Embassy advisory issued on 8 October 2026.
What should Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia do in an emergency?
Indian nationals requiring consular assistance should contact the Embassy of India in Riyadh or the Indian consulates in Jeddah and Al Khobar through official channels. The Embassy has urged residents to rely only on verified official communications during the ongoing situation.
