MEA Confirms Indian Casualties in Gulf Conflict
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed multiple Indian casualties in the Gulf conflict, as a series of missile strikes and drone attacks disrupt travel and safety across the region.
Tragedy at Riyadh Airport and Oman Anchorage
A series of violent incidents has taken a heavy toll on the Indian diaspora. On October 10, a Houthi missile strike targeted Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, resulting in 13 deaths. Among the deceased was 46-year-old Hyderabad-based IT professional Mohammed Yousuf Ali. His family suffered significant casualties; his sons, Aman (18) and Wasi (16), sustained critical injuries, while his wife, Sameera, and daughter, Maryam, were also wounded.
The strike injured more than 300 individuals, including 11 Indian nationals. While some, like Mohammed Fazal Pasha, have been repatriated with embassy assistance following their injuries, two other Indian citizens remain in intensive care.
The violence extended to maritime routes on October 11, when a drone strike hit the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage in Oman. Although nine Indian crew members were successfully rescued, two sailors remain missing:
- Amit Singh (aged 20-25, from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh)
- Bir Bahadur Yadav (aged 25-26, from Deoria)
The Omani coast guard is currently conducting search operations to locate the missing men.
Industrial Accidents and Regional Injuries
Beyond the direct missile strikes, Indian nationals have faced other perils. On October 13, 27-year-old Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana lost his life following a crane pipe collapse in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, reports have emerged from Dubai regarding Indian expatriates sustaining injuries caused by debris from missile interceptions in the region.
Travel Disruptions and Safety Advisories
The conflict has caused significant chaos in regional aviation. Major carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, have suspended all flights to Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport until at least October 24. Travelers are being urged to seek alternative routes through Bahrain, Kuwait, or Qatar.
Ambassador Vipul has issued urgent advice to Indian nationals in the region, instructing them to:
- Remain indoors and adhere to all local government directives.
- Refrain from filming or distributing footage of attacks to avoid potential legal repercussions.
India’s Diplomatic Response
During an inter-ministerial briefing on October 19, Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R. Mahajan confirmed that missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Iraq are working in coordination to manage repatriation and search efforts. The scale of the crisis is evident in the numbers: since the conflict escalated on February 28, more than 300,000 Indians have departed the region.
India has formally raised the issue of civilian safety at the UN Security Council, highlighting the risks faced by 10 million Indian citizens in GCC countries. Specific concerns were noted regarding threats to civilian infrastructure and shipping vessels, such as the India-flagged MV DP World Kaveri. In response to the maritime threats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed the establishment of a Seafarers Emergency Support Network.