Kamal Ghorui
(ANI photo)
NEW DELHI: The Indian embassy in Riyadh on early Monday denied reports of any Indian deaths in an incident where an Iranian “military projectile” hit a residential building in Saudi Arabia’s Al Kharj amid crisis in the Middle East region. However, there was an injury reported to one Indian national.In a post on X, the embassy said the injured person is being treated at a government hospital in Al Kharj and that officials are in touch with Saudi authorities. The embassy wrote, “It is a matter of relief that there has been no Indian fatality in the unfortunate incident at Al Kharj yesterday evening. The Embassy has been in touch with the concerned Saudi authorities regarding this issue. 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.”
The embassy’s statement came after the General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defence confirmed the projectile fell on a residential area in Al-Kharj Governorate. The Civil Defence said two people were killed and several others injured. The fatalities were Bangladeshi nationals, along with 11 injured Bangladeshis and one injured Indian, according to the agency.The incident comes amid rising tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Earlier, celebrations broke out in Iran after Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was named the new Supreme Leader.Follow live blog Press TV reported that the IRGC and General Staff of the Armed Forces pledged support for Mojtaba Khamenei, and large crowds took to the streets after the Assembly of Experts made the appointment.Meanwhile, amid rising global oil prices due to the conflict, US President Donald Trump said the “short-term” spike is worth it if it eliminates Iran’s nuclear threat. On Truth Social, he wrote, “Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for USA, and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!”
