An Indian national was killed and three others injured in two separate attacks targeting a major airport and an oil field in Saudi Arabia, officials said on Thursday (October 22, 2026) amid a spate of strikes by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on key infrastructure in the country.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said that Saudi authorities have informed it about the casualties in the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf near Bahrain and Qatar on Wednesday night (October 21, 2026).
It said that one Indian national was earlier injured in an attack at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) and added that the mission was in touch with Saudi authorities for further details.
“One Indian national was among two people who unfortunately lost their lives in the attack on Dammam airport yesterday night and two Indian nationals were injured,” the embassy said in a social media post on Thursday (October 22, 2026).
“We are ascertaining further details and contacting the affected families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased and we wish speedy recovery of the injured,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in its statement called the attacks “completely unacceptable”.
“We also reiterate that the attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately. We stand in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest,” it said.
Airport operations have resumed: Saudi authorities
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said that one Saudi citizen and an Indian resident were killed in the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The same airport was previously targeted on October 11.
It said that eight people, including two Indians, were injured in the attack. The injured also included Bangladeshi and Nepalese nationals. “Their injuries range from minor to critical, and they are receiving the necessary medical care at several hospitals,” it added.
“GACA continues to work, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to complete the damage assessment, verify the safety of the facilities, and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and personnel and maintain the security and safety of the kingdom’s civil aviation system,” it said.
It added that airport operations have resumed and air traffic has returned to normal. The authorities have not specified whether the attack on the airport involved a drone or a missile.
The attack comes amid escalating drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi Arabia’s airports, energy installations and other critical infrastructure, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels having been involved in a prolonged campaign against the kingdom.
However, the Saudi authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the Dammam airport attack.
MEA on facilitating early return on affected pilgrims
India’s diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia are actively engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a social media on Thursday evening (October 22, 2026).
According to the figures released by the MEA, approximately 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have travelled back to India over the past week, utilising available flights.
“This is in addition to more than 10,000 normal Umrah pilgrims who were booked on the available flights and have travelled back to India over the past week,” the Ministry stated. “Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest. Our Embassy and Consulate, with the support from community volunteers, are extending all possible welfare assistance. 24×7 Control Rooms have been established to help Indian nationals and regular advisories are being issued.”
Further, it shared contact details of the 24X7 Control Rooms at Embassy of India, Riyadh and Consulate General of India, Jeddah:
Embassy of India, Riyadh: Telephone: +966-554412016; +966-542126784; Toll-free: 8002471234 (Calls from within KSA only); WhatsApp: +966-536216082 (Messages only)
Consulate General of India, Jeddah: Telephone: +966-12-2614093; +966-556122301; WhatsApp: +966-536209704 (Messages only)
With inputs from PTI, ANI
Published – October 22, 2026 03:28 pm IST
