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An Indian was killed and three were injured in attacks on Dammam airport and Shaybah oilfield. The strikes underscore growing risks to civilians and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
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Dubai,Oct 22, 2026 17:12 IST
An Indian national was killed and three others were injured in two separate attacks on an airport and an oilfield in Saudi Arabia, officials said on Thursday, according to news agency Press Trust of India.
The attacks took place on Wednesday amid a series of drone and missile strikes on airports, energy facilities and other key infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said Saudi authorities had informed it about the casualties in the attack on King Fahd Airport in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday night.
“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.
“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.
Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation said a Saudi citizen and an Indian resident were killed in the attack. The airport had also been targeted on October 11.
The authority said eight people, including two Indians, were injured. Bangladeshi and Nepalese nationals were also among those hurt.
“Their injuries range from minor to critical, and they are receiving the necessary medical care at several hospitals,” it said.
The authority said it was working with other agencies to assess the damage, check the safety of airport facilities and take steps to protect passengers and staff. Airport operations have resumed and air traffic has returned to normal.
The authorities have not said whether a drone or missile was used in the attack. They have also not publicly identified those responsible.
The Dammam casualties came after a drone targeted Saudi Aramco's Shaybah oilfield on Wednesday, injuring an Indian national. The Indian mission said in a social media post late on Wednesday that it would provide all necessary assistance to the injured person, PTI reported.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Energy, air defences intercepted the drone, but falling debris killed two residents, a Filipino and a Nepali national. Two others, an Indian and a Pakistani, were injured.
“Air defences thwarted an attempt to target the Shaybah field, with two deaths and two injuries among residents resulting from shrapnel falling after the interception,” the ministry said.
The incident caused a fire in a contractor's vehicle outside the oilfield, but operations were not affected, Saudi authorities said.
Shaybah is a major oilfield operated by state-owned Saudi Aramco in the Rub' al-Khali desert in southeastern Saudi Arabia, near the border with the United Arab Emirates. It is an important part of the country's oil production infrastructure. Saudi authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the attempted attack.
The attacks come amid an escalation in drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia's airports, energy facilities and other infrastructure. Iran-backed Houthis have been involved in a prolonged campaign against the country, although Saudi authorities have not blamed them publicly for the Dammam and Shaybah attacks.
The Houthis, who control large parts of northern Yemen, have been fighting Yemen's internationally recognised government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
Earlier this month, an Indian national was killed and several others were injured in an attack on King Khalid Airport in Riyadh.
India has strongly condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly those targeting civilian facilities and infrastructure, and has called for an immediate end to the hostilities.
The Indian Embassy has advised Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert, follow instructions from local authorities and stay indoors during aerial attacks. It has also warned them not to film or share images and videos of drone or missile interceptions and impact sites, citing possible legal consequences under Saudi law.
Saudi Arabia is home to about 2.74 million Indian nationals working across various sectors. The two attacks on Wednesday left one Indian dead and three injured, while Indian officials remained in contact with Saudi authorities and the affected families.
With PTI Inputs
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