Indian Killed, 3 Injured in Attacks on Saudi Facilities, Says MEA After Owaisi seeks Safety of Pilgrims
The MEA said one Indian was killed and two others injured in the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, while another Indian was injured in an attack on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province.
New Delhi: An Indian national was killed and three others injured in attacks on an airport and an oil facility in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, prompting India to strongly condemn the strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure.
The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said one Indian was killed and two others injured in the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, while another Indian was injured in an attack on Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oil field in the Eastern Province.
Conveying condolences to the bereaved family, the ministry said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh was in contact with Saudi authorities and would extend all possible assistance.
"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," the MEA said.
The attacks came amid escalating hostilities involving Yemen-based Houthi rebels, who have targeted Saudi facilities in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, the MEA said it was coordinating with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight suspensions.
The clarification came after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said around 4,000 Indian pilgrims were stranded in Mecca and Medina.
He urged the Centre to arrange their return and suggested deploying larger aircraft or operating special evacuation flights.
Responding to the concerns, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had returned to India on available flights during the past week.
He said more than 10,000 other Umrah pilgrims with regular bookings had also returned during the same period.
Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah were working with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of the remaining pilgrims.
He added that Indian missions, assisted by community volunteers, were providing welfare support and had established round-the-clock control rooms to assist Indian nationals.
