India Calls Riyadh Airport Missile Strike ‘Unacceptable’ After Deadly Attack Leaves 12 People Dead

India on Sunday strongly condemned a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that killed 12 people and injured more than 300 others. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure as “completely unacceptable” and called for an immediate halt to the violence. New Delhi also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and said it hoped peace and normalcy would return to the region at the earliest. The attack took place on Saturday, October 10, and was among the deadliest strikes on Saudi territory in recent years. Saudi authorities reported 12 fatalities and 309 injuries, with several of the injured in critical condition.

In its statement, the MEA said India “strongly condemn[s] the repeated attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the dastardly attack on October 10, which have led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property.” The ministry added that attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure were unacceptable and must cease immediately. India also reiterated its support for the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, underscoring its concern over the impact of the violence on civilian safety and regional stability. The statement followed a series of attacks targeting Saudi airports and other facilities, raising concerns about the security of civilian aviation infrastructure amid escalating hostilities in the region.

The missile struck the King Khalid International Airport complex in Riyadh, including the area housing Terminals 3 and 4, which serve domestic flights, according to reports. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that 12 people were killed and 309 injured. The deceased included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshi nationals and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan. Authorities said some injured people were in critical condition and were receiving treatment in hospitals. The attack also caused property damage, the full extent of which was being assessed. Airport operations were temporarily suspended following the incident while officials evaluated the damage and the security situation.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Confirms Three Dead After Houthi Attacks Target Riyadh And Abha Airports

A Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels for the attack, describing the strike on the passenger terminal as a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Coalition spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Malki said the coalition would respond to the attack in accordance with the applicable laws governing armed conflict. However, the Houthis had not claimed responsibility for Saturday’s strike at the time of the initial reports. The attribution therefore remained the coalition’s accusation, rather than a responsibility claim confirmed by the group. The incident followed other reported attacks on Saudi airports during the same week. Earlier, the Houthis had said they launched a ballistic missile towards Riyadh airport, claiming it had reached its intended target and caused disruption to air traffic.

The attack prompted concern among foreign governments and diplomatic missions about the safety of their citizens in Saudi Arabia. The United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada issued advisories urging their nationals to avoid the airport or surrounding areas amid ongoing security concerns. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the strike on King Khalid International Airport. President Donald Trump also said Washington was considering whether to join Saudi military operations against the Houthis, telling reporters that a decision would be made after reviewing the latest attack. Meanwhile, airport disruptions affected flight operations, with airlines cancelling or diverting services because of the security situation.

India’s response places emphasis on protecting civilians, respecting Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and preventing further attacks on essential civilian facilities. Airports are critical infrastructure for passenger travel, emergency movement and international connectivity, making attacks on them particularly consequential for civilians and regional transport networks. The latest strike has intensified concerns about the widening conflict involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, as well as the risk of further escalation involving regional and international powers. While Saudi authorities continue to assess the damage and treat those injured, the circumstances surrounding the attack and responsibility for the strike remain central to the unfolding situation. India has called for the attacks to stop immediately and expressed hope that stability will return to the region.

Also Read: Houthi Attacks Reportedly Damage Aircraft At Riyadh Airport Amid Escalating Regional Tensions