India has asked its nationals in Saudi Arabia to stay alert, remain indoors when necessary and avoid sharing videos of the unfolding situation, after Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport in the south of the kingdom. The advisory from the Embassy of India in Riyadh came on Thursday, October 8, as Air India and Air India Express suspended flights to and from Riyadh until October 10.
With one of the largest Indian communities anywhere in the world living and working in Saudi Arabia, the attacks have set off anxious phone calls in homes from Kerala to Telangana.
What happened at the Saudi airports
According to Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation, as reported by news agency ANI, the attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports took place separately on October 6 and 7. Three people were killed and 36 injured in total: two dead and 28 injured at Abha, and one dead and eight injured at King Khalid International Airport. The injured were taken to hospital, and authorities carried out safety checks of the facilities.
On Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition said its forces had intercepted and destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and one aimed at Khamis Mushait. Saudi Civil Defence said falling debris from a missile intercepted over Riyadh damaged a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex. The coalition described the attacks as acts of a "terrorist Houthi militia" and said they "will not go unpunished", adding that it had destroyed 82 Houthi military targets in Yemen's Saada, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf and Ma'rib governorates.
India condemns attacks on civilian infrastructure
The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the strikes, saying that "the targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable." New Delhi conveyed condolences to the families of those killed, wished the injured a quick recovery and expressed solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia.
What the Indian Embassy advisory says
The embassy's message to the community is short and practical. Indians in Saudi Arabia have been asked to:
- Remain alert and vigilant, and stay indoors as necessary.
- Follow instructions from local authorities issued through official channels.
- Not circulate or repost videos or news related to the ongoing events.
- Rely on the embassy's official social media handles for verified updates.
The Embassy in Riyadh, the Consulate General in Jeddah and their outsourced VFS centres are working normally, so passport, visa and consular services continue.
Key facts for Indians in Saudi Arabia
| Advisory issued by | Embassy of India, Riyadh |
| Date | October 8, 2026 |
| 24x7 helpline (PBSK) | Toll-free 8002471234 |
| Airports attacked | King Khalid International (Riyadh), Abha International |
| Casualties (GACA) | 3 killed, 36 injured |
| Air India / Air India Express | Riyadh flights cancelled till October 10 |
| Embassy and consulate | Riyadh embassy, Jeddah consulate and VFS functioning normally |
Flights from India disrupted
Air travel between India and the Saudi capital has taken the most visible hit. Air India cancelled all its flights to and from Riyadh until October 10, and a Delhi-Riyadh Air India flight had to turn back on Thursday. Air India Express suspended its Riyadh services for the same period and said affected passengers can reschedule free of charge or take a full refund.
At Kochi airport, two Riyadh-bound departures on Thursday evening, Akasa Air's QP523 and Saudia's SV775, were cancelled. Travellers holding tickets for the coming days should check flight status with their airline before leaving for the airport, and keep their phone numbers and email updated on the booking so they receive change alerts.
What it means for families in India
For families with relatives in Saudi Arabia, the main advice is to stay calm and stay in touch. The embassy has not asked anyone to leave the country, and its services are running normally. People who need help, or who cannot reach a family member, can contact the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra helpline. The embassy's request not to forward videos is also worth heeding: unverified clips can spread panic.
What happens next
Much depends on whether the Houthi strikes continue and how the Saudi-led coalition responds inside Yemen. Airlines are expected to review their Riyadh schedules as the October 10 deadline approaches, and the embassy has said further updates will follow. Indian officials are monitoring the situation, and any change in the advisory will be posted on the embassy's official channels first.
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