Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia have been advised to remain calm, stay vigilant and move indoors in the event of an aerial attack amid heightened security concerns and flight disruptions. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is operating a 24-hour control room to assist members of the Indian community.
The embassy has also urged Indians not to circulate or repost videos and news related to the ongoing events. Nationals have been advised to maintain regular contact with their airlines and verify flight status before travelling to airports.
The advisory is particularly relevant to Indian workers, business travellers, families visiting relatives and pilgrims whose journeys involve Saudi Arabia or neighbouring Gulf countries. Travellers should not assume that a confirmed booking guarantees that a flight will operate as scheduled during a period of disruption.
In an update on Indians injured in the October 10 attack on Riyadh airport, the embassy said four people remained in intensive care, four were receiving treatment in a regular hospital ward and three had been discharged.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation had earlier reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries in the attack targeting King Khalid International Airport, according to a report carried by India’s public broadcaster.
What the Indian Advisory Tells Nationals to Do
The embassy’s instructions emphasise the importance of remaining calm, exercising vigilance and staying indoors in the event of an aerial attack. Indians should follow directions issued by Saudi authorities and avoid approaching affected locations or gathering around security incidents.
The warning against circulating videos and news is also significant. During a security emergency, old footage, misleading captions and unverified reports can spread quickly. Sharing such material can create confusion and make it harder for people to distinguish official instructions from speculation.
Indians planning to travel should check airline notifications directly and contact their travel agents where necessary. Those using connecting flights should confirm the status of every leg of their journey rather than checking only their departure from Saudi Arabia.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has separately urged Indian nationals, particularly Umrah pilgrims travelling through Jeddah and Madinah, to check their flights regularly and remain in contact with travel agents and Umrah service providers. The consulate has also established a 24-hour control room to assist affected Indians.
The embassy has said that people who need to leave Saudi Arabia urgently may consider flights from airports in neighbouring Gulf countries, including Qatar and Bahrain. However, travellers must confirm entry and visa requirements and verify whether flights are operating. Such an option should not be treated as an automatic or unrestricted evacuation route.
What Indian Workers, Families and Pilgrims Should Do Now
Indian residents should keep their passports, residency documents, essential medicines and emergency contact details accessible. Families should agree on a reliable way to communicate if phone networks or travel arrangements are disrupted.
Workers should follow instructions issued by their employers and local authorities, particularly if their workplaces provide transport or accommodation. They should avoid travelling towards airports or potentially affected areas without confirming that the journey is safe and necessary.
Pilgrims and other visitors should contact their airlines and authorised travel providers before leaving their hotels or accommodation. Those travelling in groups should ensure that group leaders have accurate passenger details and a reliable way to contact all members.
People already at an airport should follow instructions from airport staff and local security personnel. They should avoid relying on rumours about closures, alternative routes or the availability of seats on other flights.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on October 14 that it had expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure, including an attack on the headquarters of Saudi Aramco. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India stood with the Saudi government and people in defence of their sovereignty and hoped that peace and normalcy would return to the region.
For Indians living and working in Saudi Arabia, the central message is to remain alert without panicking, follow local instructions, verify travel information through official channels and avoid spreading unconfirmed material. Security conditions and airline operations can change quickly, making current official guidance more useful than older posts or forwarded messages.
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Sridhar P