Saudi attacks kill three, including Saudia pilot; Indian embassy issues advisory

Three Saudi citizens, including a pilot employed by Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia, were reportedly killed and several people injured in separate attacks believed to have been carried out by Houthi militias on Thursday, October 8, prompting the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to issue a security advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid unnecessary outings.

A statement issued by Saudia on Friday confirmed that Captain Hamoud Ali Alkalthami was killed in the attacks, while one of the airline’s aircraft sustained damage while parked at the airport, with no passengers aboard at the time of the incident.

In an obituary honouring Captain Alkalthami, Saudia expressed its condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, while acknowledging his contributions to the airline.

According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, two attacks targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and a Saudia aircraft, killing three Saudi citizens and injuring several others, marking the deadliest attacks in the kingdom since Saudi Arabia and its allied forces launched a major military offensive against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen.

Apart from the Houthis’ claim that they had targeted the airport with a ballistic missile, the authorities have yet to identify those responsible, while the airport has also come under repeated attacks, with a Sudanese national reportedly killed there earlier in the week.

The aviation authority said the injured included citizens and residents of different nationalities, with their injuries ranging from minor to serious, while confirming that operational activities had returned to normal.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh urged Indian nationals to remain vigilant, follow instructions issued by local authorities and avoid circulating unverified information about security developments on social media.

The advisory also called on Indian citizens to remain indoors and avoid venturing outdoors unless necessary, as a precautionary measure. It further warned against sharing videos, photographs, or unverified reports relating to explosions, military activities, and other security incidents.

The embassy urged the Indian community to rely on official communications from Saudi authorities and refrain from spreading misleading information amid heightened security concerns.