India has said that air connectivity across West Asia remains largely unaffected despite recent attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, although some disruptions were reported immediately following the incidents.

Speaking at a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had strongly condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. He noted that, apart from limited disruptions linked to the attacks, there were no broader connectivity concerns and air traffic continued to move through airports across the region.

Responding to questions about whether Indian nationals were seeking to return from West Asia because of the security situation, Jaiswal said airport operations and regional air traffic links remained functional despite the recent developments.

The MEA spokesperson was also asked about updated figures relating to Indian citizens deported from the United Kingdom and the United States. Jaiswal said he did not have the latest numbers available and referred to figures previously shared by the government around a month ago, adding that updated information would be provided later.

The comments followed two separate attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday. According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), three Saudi citizens were killed and several others were injured when airport facilities and a Saudia aircraft were targeted.

GACA said the casualties included Saudi citizens and residents of multiple nationalities, with injuries ranging from minor to critical. Emergency services and relevant agencies responded immediately under established emergency procedures, and all injured individuals were transferred to hospitals for treatment.

The authority said the attacks also caused damage to airport property. However, airport operations resumed afterwards and air traffic returned to normal, reassuring passengers and airlines using one of the Kingdom’s busiest aviation hubs.

Saudia Airlines confirmed that one of its employees was among those killed in the incident, underlining the human cost of the attacks in addition to the damage inflicted on airport infrastructure.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant, stay indoors when necessary and follow guidance issued by local authorities through official channels.

The advisory came after attacks targeted both Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, resulting in three deaths and 36 injuries. Indian citizens were also urged not to circulate or repost videos, images or unverified information related to the ongoing situation.

The embassy stated that its operations in Riyadh, as well as those of the Indian Consulate in Jeddah and associated VFS services, continued to function normally. It added that further advisories would be issued if required and confirmed that the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra's 24-hour helpline remained available to assist Indian nationals in the Kingdom.

The incidents have heightened security concerns across the region, although Saudi authorities have stressed that airport operations have normalised and international air traffic continues to function following emergency response efforts.

ANI