Indians 'shocked' at siege deaths

The Saudis freed 41 when they stormed the compound

The Indian community in Saudi Arabia is in a state of shock at the killing of eight of its members in the Khobar siege, an Indian diplomat has said.

But JS Mukul, a diplomat at the Indian embassy in Riyadh, said the community would overcome the crisis and stood "shoulder to shoulder" with the Saudis.

The Indian government said it condemned "this wanton act of terrorism which has led to the loss of innocent lives".

Two Sri Lankans were also among the 22 people killed.

Mr Mukul told the BBC's World Today programme that India was in close co-operation with the Saudi authorities.

"What I understand is that the people who have been killed were workers at this compound," Mr Mukul said.

"They were working for a local Saudi company... and they were part of the maintenance staff at this Oasis compound.

"I don't whether they were targeted but there were a large number of Indians working for this company."

Father's ordeal

Mr Mukul said the Indian community was "naturally shocked at this very unfortunate incident".

I never imagined that I would see my family again Baskar Venkataramani

But he added: "The Indian community through various crises in the past has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the Saudi people and... the embassy is working closely with the Saudi authorities."

India's ministry for external affairs said: "We want to express deep regret at the unfortunate deaths of 22 people of different nationalities including eight Indians in Khobar."

It said the Indian casualties were "victims of circumstances rather than pre-meditated targets for attack".

The embassy in Riyadh is arranging for the repatriation of bodies.

One Indian who escaped the ordeal, Baskar Venkataramani, 45, told the Gulf News newspaper he had locked himself in a bathroom after being alerted by a receptionist.

"The ordeal stated at around 6.30am on Saturday... I piled up mattresses and pillows to save myself from bullets.

"I never imagined that I would see my family again," he said.

"I once peeped through the keyhole and saw the militants. Most were wearing masks."

Twenty-two people died when Islamic militants staged attacks on oil companies and then held about 50 people hostage at the Oasis residential compound, which houses company executives.

A total of 41 people were freed after police stormed the complex.

The militant group's leader was captured but a manhunt is underway for several others who evaded capture.

About three million Indians have jobs in the Gulf region, mostly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.