Community urged to remain vigilant, stay indoors if required, and avoid circulating unverified videos following strikes targeting Riyadh.
RIYADH, Oct 9, 2026 : The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has directed its nationals across Saudi Arabia to exercise heightened vigilance and remain indoors as necessary, after air defence forces intercepted two ballistic missiles over the capital.
Military units operating under the Saudi-led coalition intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh on Thursday. Falling shrapnel and debris caused structural damage to a kindergarten and an adjacent medical clinic complex within the city, according to reports confirmed by the Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defence. No fatalities were immediately reported.
Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the assault, asserting it had targeted King Khalid International Airport with ballistic weaponry. Saudi authorities did not confirm the specific target claims, maintaining that both inbound projectiles were neutralized before reaching designated strike zones.
Prompted by the security situation, the Indian Embassy advised the large expatriate workforce to adhere strictly to local safety directives and refrain from sharing unverified footage or rumors on social networks.
“Remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors as necessary, and follow the instructions issued by local authorities through official channels,” the diplomatic mission stated in its formal advisory.
Diplomatic operations remain unaffected. The mission confirmed that embassy facilities in Riyadh, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, and partnered VFS visa processing centers are operating on regular schedules.
Indian expatriates seeking emergency consular support or guidance can access the round-the-clock Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra helpline on toll-free number 800 247 1234. Official updates continue to be published through verified embassy channels, including its official account on X (@IndianEmbRiyadh).
Commercial aviation experienced temporary procedural alerts following the incident. Authorities at King Khalid International Airport requested departing and arriving passengers to verify flight schedules directly with operating carriers before heading to terminals, warning that regional operational protocols could cause schedule adjustments.
Consular officials noted that additional security directives will be issued if field assessments warrant further precautions.
