New Delhi, October 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said stranded Indian Umrah pilgrims had returned safely to India, while efforts were continuing to facilitate the return of others affected by disruptions in Saudi Arabia.
In a post on X, Rijiju said the government remained proactive in addressing the concerns of Indian citizens. He added that the pilgrims who had returned included those stranded in Saudi Arabia, in addition to more than 10,000 regular Umrah pilgrims who had travelled back to India over the past week.
The minister also shared details of the 24-hour control rooms established at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah to assist Indian nationals.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that Indian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia were coordinating with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the early return of affected pilgrims.
According to the ministry, around 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had travelled back to India over the preceding week on available flights, apart from more than 10,000 regular pilgrims. The embassy and consulate, supported by community volunteers, were also providing welfare assistance and issuing advisories.
The developments come after an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam on October 21, in which an Indian resident and a Saudi citizen were killed.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said eight people were injured in the incident, including two Indians, two Yemenis, two Bangladeshis, one Saudi citizen and one Nepali national. Their injuries ranged from minor to critical.
The authority said airport operations had resumed and air traffic had returned to normal. It was coordinating with relevant agencies to assess damage, verify the safety of facilities and ensure the security of passengers and personnel.
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