Kashmir Impulse Desk
New Delhi, Oct 22
India’s diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia are working with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of pilgrims affected by flight disruptions amid regional security concerns, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.
About 3000 stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned to India on available flights over the past week, in addition to more than 10,000 other pilgrims who travelled home on scheduled services, ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said.
“Our Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are actively engaging with concerned airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims,” Jaiswal said in a post on X.
Arrangements were being discussed to help the remaining pilgrims return as soon as possible, he said.
The statement followed an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on Wednesday in which one Indian national was killed, and two others were injured, according to India’s foreign ministry.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier urged the federal government to help Indian pilgrims stranded in Makkah and Madina, saying around 4,000 people were affected after airlines suspended flights to Saudi cities amid the security situation.
Owaisi also called on aviation authorities to allow airlines to use larger aircraft or arrange dedicated flights to bring the pilgrims home.
The Indian embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah, supported by community volunteers, were providing welfare assistance to Indian nationals, Jaiswal said.
Both missions have established round-the-clock control rooms and are issuing regular advisories, he added.
The ministry did not provide a revised estimate of the number of pilgrims still awaiting return travel.
