New Delhi: As the shadow of the escalating US-Iran conflict spreads across the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh moved swiftly on Monday to correct reports regarding a lethal projectile strike in Al-Kharj. Contrary to early statements from Saudi officials, the mission confirmed that no Indian nationals were killed in the attack.
On Sunday evening, a military projectile slammed into a residential compound housing employees of a maintenance and cleaning company in the Al-Kharj Governorate. In the immediate aftermath, Saudi Civil Defence officials reported two fatalities, one Indian and one Bangladeshi.
However, following a night of diplomatic verification, the Indian Embassy issued a formal clarification on X (formerly Twitter). “It is a matter of relief that there has been no Indian fatality in the unfortunate incident at Al-Kharj yesterday evening,” the statement read.
The strike and the correction
While the report of an Indian death was retracted, the human cost of the strike remains high. One Bangladeshi national was killed, and 12 other Bangladeshi residents sustained injuries.
Diplomatic outreach to the injured
The Indian mission has been in constant contact with Saudi authorities to monitor the situation. Highlighting the embassy’s boots-on-the-ground response, Counsellor (CW) Y Sabir visited Al-Kharj late Sunday night. He met with the sole injured Indian national involved in the blast, who is currently undergoing treatment at a local government hospital. The embassy reported that the individual is receiving necessary medical care.
“Counsellor (CW) Shri Y. Sabir visited Al Kharj last night and met the injured Indian national involved in this unfortunate incident. He is currently receiving treatment at a government hospital in Al Kharj,” it added.
A region under fire
The incident in Al-Kharj is the latest chapter in a rapidly widening war between the United States and Iran. As the two powers remain locked in a cycle of retaliatory strikes, the conflict has spread to neighbouring Gulf nations.
Saudi authorities condemned the Al-Kharj strike as a “blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” emphasising that civilian facilities are being unlawfully targeted. The volatility of the situation prompted the US State Department to issue a travel advisory on Sunday, ordering non-emergency government employees and their families to evacuate Saudi Arabia immediately due to “safety risks” following Iranian strikes on the Kingdom.
“In view of the prevailing situation in the region and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, all Indian Nationals currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are advised to continue to remain vigilant, strictly adhere to the safety guidelines prevalent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and follow advisories issued by the local authorities and the Embassy,” the embassy said in a post on X.