Six Indians Killed, One Missing in Gulf Missile and Drone Attacks
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that six Indian nationals have died and one remains missing following a surge in hostilities across the Gulf region. The intensifying conflict, characterized by missile and drone strikes, has significantly impacted the lives of the Indian diaspora, with more than 300,000 Indians returning home since February 28.
Tragedy at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport
On October 10, a Houthi missile strike targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, resulting in a devastating loss of life. Among the 13 people killed was Mohammed Yousuf Ali, a 46-year-old IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad.
Ali was at Terminal 3 with his wife, Sameera, and their three children—Aman (18), Wasi (16), and Maryam (11)—preparing for an Umrah pilgrimage when the attack occurred. The strike injured over 300 people, including 11 Indians. The impact on the family has been severe: Aman required knee surgery, Wasi lost three toes, and both Sameera and Maryam sustained minor injuries.
Maritime Strikes in Oman and the UAE
The instability has also extended to maritime routes in the Gulf. On October 11, a drone strike hit the Nicaragua-flagged tanker MT Petro Dolphin at the Sohar Anchorage in Oman. While nine of the 11 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-and-rescue operations to locate the missing men. In a separate incident, the tanker MT GEM NO. 2 faced an attack off the coast of Sharjah; however, all 22 Indian crew members on board were reported safe.
Workplace Fatality and Regional Response
Adding to the toll, 27-year-old Kashireddy Rakesh from the Jagtial district of Telangana died on October 13 following a workplace accident in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. Rakesh was killed when a pipe collapsed on him, and his body is currently being held at the New General Hospital in Al Darb.
In response to the escalating danger, several major airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa, have suspended flights to Saudi Arabian cities until at least October 24.
Government and Naval Support
Indian authorities have moved to prioritize the safety of the 10 million-strong Indian diaspora in the GCC countries. Key actions include:
- Diplomatic Support: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has offered condolences and embassy support, while Ambassador Vipul has urged Indians in Saudi Arabia to exercise extreme caution.
- Naval Assistance: The Indian Navy’s INS Sudarshini provided support to over 500 diaspora members in Salalah, Oman, between October 16 and 17.
- Repatriation Efforts: Indian missions are actively working to locate the missing person and repatriate the remains of the deceased.
Indian missions in the region continue to maintain active helplines to assist citizens navigating the ongoing crisis.