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Indian Ambassador Vipul urges Indians in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and stay indoors during aerial attacks amid flight disruptions. (Images: Dynamite News)
New Delhi/Riyadh: Indian nationals living in Saudi Arabia have been urged to remain calm, stay alert and take shelter indoors in the event of aerial attacks, following recent strikes that disrupted airport operations and affected travel between India and the Gulf kingdom. In a video message on Thursday, India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Vipul, issued the safety advisory and said the Indian Embassy was closely monitoring the situation. He also cautioned people against sharing photographs or videos of attacks, warning that doing so could violate Saudi law.
The ambassador said India had strongly condemned attacks targeting civilian facilities and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the country's leadership and people. He also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The embassy is in contact with the family of an Indian national killed in the October 10 attack on Riyadh airport, as well as hospital authorities and the families of 11 Indians who were injured, Vipul said.
Flight disruptions have affected passengers travelling between India and Saudi Arabia. According to the ambassador, services operated by Indian carriers Air India and IndiGo had been cancelled across the kingdom, while Saudi airlines Saudia, flynas and flyadeal continued operating flights to India at the time of his statement. Passengers were advised to check flight status with airlines before travelling. The ambassador also said travellers could consider routes through neighbouring Gulf countries, subject to availability and prevailing conditions.
The embassy has established helplines to assist Umrah pilgrims facing travel difficulties. Those planning trips from India to Saudi Arabia were urged to account for possible disruptions.
India reiterated its condemnation of attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia describing them as unacceptable. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the disruptions to airport operations had affected people travelling between the two countries. The Indian Embassy's advisory urged nationals to remain vigilant, follow local authorities' instructions and prioritise their safety as the situation develops.
