6 Indians Killed, 1 Missing in Houthi Attacks Across Gulf
The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed a tragic escalation in the West Asia conflict, reporting that six Indian nationals have been killed and one remains missing following a series of Houthi missile and drone strikes. The attacks have targeted critical infrastructure, including airports, shipping vessels, and industrial sites across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iraq.
The ongoing instability has had a massive impact on the Indian community, with over 300,000 Indian citizens having evacuated the region since February 28 to escape the increasing frequency of strikes.
Tragedy at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport
One of the most harrowing incidents occurred on October 10 at Terminal 3 of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A Houthi missile strike at the terminal killed 13 people and injured more than 300 others, including 11 Indian nationals.
Among the victims was 46-year-old Mohammed Yousuf Ali, an IT professional from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad, who had been working in Riyadh for ten years. The attack struck his family while they were traveling for Umrah. While his wife, Sameera, and daughter, Maryam, sustained minor injuries, his sons suffered devastating consequences: 18-year-old Aman required knee surgery, and 16-year-old Wasi lost three toes in the blast. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh provided assistance and attended the family's funeral in Saudi Arabia.
Missing Sailors Following Drone Strike in Oman
The maritime sector has also come under fire. On October 11, a drone attack struck the MT Petro Dolphin, a Nicaragua-flagged tanker, at the Sohar Anchorage in Oman.
While nine of the 11 Indian crew members were successfully rescued, two sailors remain missing after being struck on the main deck. The missing men have been identified as Amit Singh, aged 20-25, from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, and Bir Bahadur Yadav, aged 25-26, from Deoria. Search operations are currently underway to locate them.
Diplomatic Condemnation and Travel Disruptions
In response to the rising violence, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council, Parvathaneni Harish, condemned the attacks on civilian and commercial shipping. He specifically noted the heightened threat to the India-flagged vessel, MV DP World Kaveri, and expressed gratitude for the support received from Oman and the UAE.
The security situation has also severely impacted regional travel. Major airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia, with services not expected to resume until at least October 24.
In addition to the missile strikes, the report noted the death of 27-year-old Kashireddy Rakesh from Telangana in Jizan, Saudi Arabia, following a crane accident involving a collapsing pipe. The Indian government has issued urgent advisories to all citizens in the region, urging them to remain vigilant and strictly avoid filming in conflict zones.