Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh

Riyadh, Mar 20: An Indian national has been killed in Riyadh, taking the total number of Indian casualties in the ongoing Middle East conflict to six, according to the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia.

While the exact circumstances of the death remain unclear, the embassy said the incident was linked to “recent developments” on March 18 and confirmed it is in touch with the victim’s family, providing necessary assistance.

On the same day, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh, with debris falling near a refinery south of the city. The Indian national is suspected to have died after being struck by falling debris.

The escalation followed Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gasfield, a critical energy hub. In response, Iran has launched missiles and drones towards Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, in a bid to disrupt energy supply chains. However, Riyadh has intercepted most incoming projectiles.

Reports indicate that March 18 marked a rare moment when residents in Riyadh heard explosions and received warning alerts, underscoring the intensifying conflict.

The Gulf region hosts a large Indian expatriate population working across sectors such as construction, healthcare, hospitality, and finance, raising concerns over their safety.

Earlier incidents include the deaths of two Indians in a drone strike in Sohar, Oman, on March 14, and another fatality in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, where a missile struck a residential area.

Officials said one more Indian national remains missing. Aseem Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), stated that Indian missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are in constant touch with local authorities regarding the missing individual.

As the conflict continues, Indian authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with regional governments to ensure the safety of their citizens.