An Indian national was killed and 63 others injured after Iranian drones and missiles struck Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, prompting India to issue a strong condemnation and demand an immediate cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure .
Victim identified as Madhya Pradesh resident
The deceased has been identified as Manzoor Ahmed Rehman, a 54-year-old Indian resident of Kuwait originally from the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh . Rehman had arrived at Terminal 1 to board a flight to Mumbai via Bahrain when debris from the attack struck the terminal area.
Kuwait’s Health Ministry confirmed that 63 injured individuals were admitted to seven hospitals across the country, with seven patients requiring urgent major surgical procedures . Injuries included shrapnel wounds, fractures, head trauma, brain hemorrhages, amputations, and smoke inhalation .
Widespread damage and air traffic disruption
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched coordinated missile and drone attacks targeting Ali Al‑Salem Air Base and Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, as well as the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain . Several hostile drones struck Terminal 1 of Kuwait International Airport, causing extensive structural damage .
Kuwait’s Defense Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Saud Abdulaziz Al‑Otaibi described the assault as a “criminal Iranian aggression” targeting the country’s sovereignty and civilian infrastructure . The attack forced a temporary suspension of air traffic, with flights diverted to nearby airports. Operations later resumed from Terminals 4 and 5 after safety inspections .
India condemns attack, extends assistance
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong statement condemning the attack. “We condemn the attack on the Kuwait International Airport today in which an Indian national has died and several of our nationals are injured. Since the onset of the conflict in West Asia, we have strongly urged that civilian population and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. We again call upon parties to cease such attacks,” the MEA said .
The Embassy of India in Kuwait expressed its “deepest condolences” to the bereaved family and confirmed it is “closely coordinating with the Kuwaiti authorities to render all possible support and assistance” to the family as well as those injured .
Regional fallout
Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks “in the strongest terms,” stating that Iranian ballistic missiles and drones targeted civilian and vital facilities, including diplomatic missions . Kuwait also expelled Iranian envoys in response to the aggression .
The attack, which occurred on day 96 of the ongoing Iran‑US‑Israel conflict, has heightened tensions across the Gulf region . India has kept its diplomatic missions across the region on alert and continues to monitor the safety of its nationals in the area .
