Indian National Killed in Houthi Strike at Dammam Airport
An Indian national, Kamlesh Pandey, was killed during a Houthi rebel attack at Dammam's King Fahd International Airport, causing massive flight disruptions.
An Indian national killed in a Houthi strike at Saudi Arabia's Dammam airport has left a family in mourning and caused major travel disruptions across the region. On the night of October 21, 2026, a Houthi rebel attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam claimed the life of 36-year-old Kamlesh Pandey.
A Tragic Loss for a Family in Gorakhpur
Pandey, who served as a bus driver and airport pushback operator, hailed from Kishun Pur village in the Bansgaon area of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. He had been working in this capacity for several years, having previously held a position at the Bengaluru airport.
The deceased leaves behind his wife, Suneeta, and two young daughters, Tanvi, 14, and Tanya, 10. He was one of four sons born to Harish Chandra Pandey, a local farmer. Due to ongoing flight cancellations and regional instability, the process of returning his remains to India is currently stalled, prompting his family to seek urgent government assistance.
Escalating Regional Tensions and Casualties
The strike at Dammam was not the only casualty of the night; it also killed Saudi national Sultan Al-Qahtani and left eight others injured, two of whom are reported to be Indian citizens. This tragedy follows a pattern of recent escalations in the region:
- An October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which resulted in the death of Mohammed Yousuf Ali from Hyderabad and left several other Indians wounded.
- A drone strike on the Shaybah oilfield that injured an Indian national, who has since been discharged from medical care.
Massive Flight Disruptions and Stranded Pilgrims
The heightened security environment has led to significant chaos in the aviation sector. Major carriers have implemented various suspensions and cancellations to ensure passenger safety:
- Air India and Air India Express have extended flight suspensions for routes involving Riyadh, Dammam, and Jeddah through early November.
- Akasa Air has suspended its services to Riyadh until the end of November.
- IndiGo has also reported multiple flight cancellations across its network.
These sudden changes in flight schedules have left thousands of Indian pilgrims, who were traveling for Umrah, stranded in Saudi Arabia.
Government Relief and Emergency Response
In response to the crisis, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Indian Consulate in Jeddah have activated 24/7 control rooms. These centers are working to distribute essential supplies, such as food and medicine, while coordinating with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry to secure accommodations and alternative travel routes for stranded citizens.
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that approximately 3,000 pilgrims have already been assisted in returning to India over the past week. This comes as part of a massive logistical effort, as more than 300,000 Indian nationals have been evacuated from the region since the conflict began escalating in February.
While the UAE has reported minor injuries caused by flying debris and temporary administrative closures at some consular offices, services remain operational across 12 different locations in the country.