6 Indian Nationals Killed in Gulf Conflict
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that six Indian nationals were killed in the Gulf conflict, with one person still missing as tensions escalate across West Asia. Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iraq are currently working to locate the missing individual and facilitate the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased.
The scale of the regional instability is significant, with more than 300,000 Indians having been evacuated from the area since February 28.
Tragedy at King Khalid International Airport
Among the fatalities was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, who had been residing in Riyadh for ten years. On October 10, a Houthi missile strike hit Terminal 3 of the King Khalid International Airport, killing 13 people, including Ali.
Ali was traveling with his family for Umrah at the time of the strike. While his wife, Sameera, and daughter, Maryam, sustained minor injuries, his sons—18-year-old Aman and 16-year-old Wasi—suffered severe injuries. The Indian Embassy attended the funeral services held in Riyadh.
Missing Sailors Following Drone Attack
The maritime sector has also faced direct hits from the escalating violence. Two Indian sailors remain missing following a drone attack on the Nicaragua-flagged tanker, MT Petro Dolphin, at Sohar Anchorage in Oman on October 11.
The missing men have been identified as:
- Amit Singh, aged 20-25, from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
- Bir Bahadur Yadav, aged 25-26, from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh.
Both sailors were reportedly on their maiden sailing assignments when the vessel was struck.
Workplace Fatality and Regional Security Risks
In a separate incident on October 13, 27-year-old Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana died in Jizan, Saudi Arabia. His death was the result of a workplace accident involving a collapsing pipe and a crane.
Addressing the UN Security Council, India's Permanent Representative, Parvathaneni Harish, highlighted the growing dangers facing the 10 million Indian nationals living in the GCC due to frequent attacks on infrastructure and vessels.
Flight Suspensions and Safety Advisories
As the security environment continues to deteriorate, major airlines Air India and IndiGo have suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia, with services expected to remain halted until at least October 24.
The Indian government has urged its citizens in the region to remain highly vigilant and has specifically advised against filming in areas affected by the ongoing conflict.