# 4,000 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Stranded in Saudi Arabia, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav Assures Safe Return

> Air travel disruption following strikes on Riyadh airport has left roughly 4,000 Indian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia, including 300 from Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has promised administrative support to expedite their return.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Madhya Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-10-29 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/madhya-pradesh/saudi-araba-men-umrah-karane-gae-4000-indian-phnse-mohan-yadav-se-mile-madhya-pradesh-waqf-board-pramukha-53138 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Saudi Arabia, Umrah Pilgrims, Mohan Yadav, Sanwar Patel, Riyadh Airport, Houthi Attack, Air India, Madhya Pradesh

Mounting regional hostilities in the Middle East have triggered widespread commercial aviation disruptions, leaving approximately 4,000 Indian citizens stranded across Saudi Arabia while undertaking the Umrah pilgrimage. The stranded contingent includes roughly 300 residents from Madhya Pradesh who now face indefinite delays in returning home. Addressing the mounting humanitarian concern, Dr. Sanwar Patel, chairman of the Madhya Pradesh State Waqf Board, met Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav at his official residence on Tuesday to submit a formal memorandum. The representation highlighted pressing challenges regarding lodging and daily sustenance, urging immediate intervention alongside federal authorities to arrange rapid repatriation.

## State Leadership Promises Immediate Intervention
Responding to the delegation, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav pledged comprehensive assistance on humanitarian grounds. The Chief Minister stated that all necessary measures would be mobilized to ensure the safe and orderly return of pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh as well as other parts of the country. With flight cancellations disrupting planned departure schedules, pilgrims are encountering sudden accommodation expenses and logistical uncertainties. The state administration reaffirmed that authorities remain highly vigilant regarding developments in the Gulf nation and will liaise with central ministries to organize logistical relief.

## Deadly Assault on Riyadh Airport Triggered Flight Suspension
The operational crisis stems directly from a major security breach at the international airport in Riyadh, which was targeted by Yemen's Houthi insurgent group. The assault resulted in 13 fatalities and left more than 300 individuals wounded. Casualty assessments confirmed that the deceased included four Saudi citizens, two nationals from Bangladesh, and one citizen each from the United States, India, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. The immediate aftermath prompted civil aviation authorities and private carriers to enforce sweeping safety protocols and operational standstills across several transit hubs.

## Carriers Suspend Gulf Routes Amid Ongoing Risk Assessments
In response to volatile safety conditions across Saudi airspace, major domestic carriers have extensively curtailed their international flight schedules. Air India alongside its low-cost arm Air India Express has halted all flight operations connecting to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, 2026, alongside a pause on Jeddah services through October 31. Similarly, IndiGo grounded its departures to various Saudi destinations through October 31. Akasa Air also extended its route suspensions, confirming that flights to and from Jeddah will stay halted through November 10, while services linking Riyadh remain grounded until November 30, 2026.

## What this means for you
The sudden suspension of Gulf flights directly affects travel budgets and safety plans for thousands of pilgrimage families.

- **Across India:** Families with relatives performing Umrah must prepare for unexpected stays as carriers suspend operations through early November. Travelers booked on Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo should immediately apply for free rescheduling or full refunds where applicable.
- **In Madhya Pradesh:** Relatives of the 300 stranded state pilgrims should register passenger details with the State Waqf Board or local administrative channels. The state government has pledged direct liaison with central authorities to facilitate safe passage.
- **For Upcoming Travelers:** Passengers holding tickets to Riyadh or Jeddah during November must explore alternate routes or reschedule departures. Akasa Air has cancelled Riyadh connectivity through November 30, 2026, requiring substantial itinerary revisions.
- **Financial Contingencies:** Extended delays in Saudi cities are escalating accommodation and daily living expenses for stranded citizens. Travelers should maintain close contact with tour managers and official consular desks to secure shared logistics support.

## Why this happened
A deadly military strike on civilian aviation infrastructure in Riyadh forced commercial airlines to suspend operations. The resulting cancellations stranded thousands of international passengers across major Saudi cities.

- **Direct Strike on Riyadh Airport:** Yemen-based Houthi rebels launched an attack targeting the international airport terminal in Riyadh. The incident claimed 13 lives and inflicted injuries on over 300 individuals.
- **International Casualties:** The casualties included citizens from India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. The death of an Indian national heightened diplomatic urgency regarding passenger safety.
- **Precautionary Flight Groundings:** Major Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air suspended operations following immediate threat assessments. Akasa Air extended its suspension for Riyadh flights until November 30, 2026.
- **Volatile Regional Environment:** Cross-border projectile strikes linked to the Yemeni conflict have historically disrupted Gulf civil aviation. Normal airline schedules will remain restricted until regulatory bodies verify complete airspace safety.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How many Indian pilgrims are currently stranded in Saudi Arabia?
Approximately 4,000 Indian pilgrims are stranded due to grounded flights, including around 300 people from Madhya Pradesh.

### 2. What action has Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav promised?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav assured the Waqf Board that the state will coordinate with federal authorities to ensure the safe repatriation of all pilgrims.

### 3. Why have airlines suspended flight operations to Saudi Arabia?
Carriers cancelled flights following a major Houthi rebel attack on Riyadh's international airport that created critical security hazards.

### 4. What were the casualties in the Riyadh airport attack?
The assault killed 13 people, including one Indian citizen, and injured more than 300 others.

### 5. Until when has Air India suspended its Saudi flights?
Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to Riyadh and Dammam until November 7, 2026, and to Jeddah through October 31.

### 6. What is Akasa Air's revised flight suspension schedule?
Akasa Air suspended Jeddah services until November 10 and Riyadh flights through November 30, 2026.

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