‘Stay indoors’: India warns nationals after Saudi airport attacks kill 3, injure 36

Riyadh: India has advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and vigilant amid escalating regional tensions following attacks attributed to Houthi militants on airports in the Gulf kingdom. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has asked citizens to stay indoors when necessary, follow instructions issued by local authorities and rely on official channels for updates.

The advisory, issued on October 8, comes after attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reportedly killed three people and injured 36 others, according to Saudi authorities.

India urges citizens to follow safety instructions

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has advised nationals to remain cautious and follow instructions from Saudi authorities. It has also strongly discouraged people from circulating or reposting videos, photographs and news related to the ongoing security situation.

The embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, including their outsourced services through VFS, continue to operate normally, according to the advisory.

Indian nationals requiring emergency assistance can contact the 24-hour Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra helpline at 8002471234. Citizens have also been advised to follow the embassy's official social media accounts for verified updates.

Airport attacks kill three, injure 36

The advisory follows a series of attacks attributed to Houthi militants amid escalating hostilities involving Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Yemeni group.

According to Saudi authorities, an attack on Abha International Airport killed two people and injured 28, while an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed one person and injured eight others.

India strongly condemned the attacks, describing the targeting of civilian infrastructure as "completely unacceptable". The government also expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

Air India and Air India Express cancel Riyadh flights

The deteriorating security situation has disrupted air travel between India and Saudi Arabia. Air India and Air India Express have cancelled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, 2026, while Akasa Air cancelled its Kochi–Riyadh and Riyadh–Kochi services on October 8.

An Air India flight from Delhi to Riyadh returned to the national capital on October 8 amid heightened security concerns and was subsequently cancelled. The airline offered affected passengers full refunds.

Air India Express has offered passengers affected by its cancellations complimentary rescheduling or a full refund. The airline operates 16 weekly flights to Riyadh from Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode, while Air India operates seven weekly services from Delhi and Mumbai.

What the advisory means for Indians in Saudi Arabia

The advisory asks Indian nationals to exercise caution rather than announcing a blanket evacuation or a general instruction to leave Saudi Arabia. Citizens should monitor official communications, avoid unnecessary exposure to potential security risks and follow local emergency instructions.

The flight cancellations also highlight the wider impact of the escalation on civilian travel and regional aviation. Travellers scheduled to fly to or from Riyadh should check directly with their airlines for updated schedules, rebooking options and refund arrangements.

With the security situation evolving, Indian missions in Saudi Arabia remain an important source of verified information and emergency assistance.