Moradabad man injured in Saudi projectile attack

BAREILLY: A 27-year-old man from Moradabad was critically injured after a military projectile fell on a residential site in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj during the ongoing Iran–US-Israel conflict, officials said.The injured man, Mohd Azam, a resident of Jafraabad village in the Thakurdwara area of Moradabad, had gone to Saudi Arabia about three-and-a-half years ago to work as a diesel mechanic. He is currently battling for life in a hospital in Riyadh.Azam’s brother, Kasim Ali, told TOI on Tuesday that the family learnt about the incident after one of Azam’s colleagues informed them over the phone. “I came to know that he is critical and is in ICU,” Ali said.The family said Azam had gone abroad in search of better livelihood opportunities and had been the main support for the household.

“He had gone there to earn a livelihood. Now we are told he is badly injured and on ventilator. We are poor people and request the govt to help ensure his treatment and bring him back home,” Ali added.Since the news regarding Azam’s injury came, villagers said there has been anxiety among them, as many residents from there also work in Saudi Arabia.Family members have appealed to the Prime Minister and the ministry of external affairs to ensure proper treatment for Azam and facilitate his return to India at the earliest.As per the official spokesperson of Saudi Civil Defence, the department responded on Sunday to the fall of a military projectile on a residential site belonging to a maintenance and cleaning company in Al-Kharj governorate. The incident resulted in the deaths of two Bangladeshi nationals and injuries to 11 Bangladeshi residents and Mohd Azam, besides causing material damage.The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia posted on X, “It is a matter of relief that there has been no Indian fatality in the unfortunate incident at Al Kharj,” adding that “counsellor (CW) Y Sabir visited Al Kharj and met the injured Indian national involved in this unfortunate incident… he is currently receiving treatment at a govt hospital in Al Kharj.”