As a siren pierced the Saturday morning calm in Bahrain, Asif (name changed) and several other Indian nationals found themselves facing an unprecedented situation. As the US and Israel attacked Iran, Tehran retaliated by targeting American assets across the Gulf countries. Bahrain was also not spared. In a video interaction with India Today, Asif, who is from Haryana, shared disturbing visuals and firsthand details of the unfolding security situation in Bahrain.
“At around 11.30 am, we received an alert from the ministry asking everyone to take shelter,” the IT professional, who has been living in Bahrain for the past three years, said. Within 10-15 minutes, he heard a loud explosion. That’s when panic set in. Panic soon turned into chaos after the elevators in his building stopped working.
“The lifts stopped. We were asked to evacuate the building immediately using the stairs. Then we heard more explosions,” he said. In the background, plumes of smoke were seen rising into the sky.
IRAN TARGETS US BASE IN BAHRAIN
Iran targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which is located close to the main city. While Asif heard 6-7 explosions, he said most of the missiles were intercepted by the US military. “I heard six or seven blasts. Most were intercepted,” he said.
Asif said normal life in the country has come to a standstill, despite Ramzan being underway. Taxi services and local shops were being shut down in phases. “Several shops closed early today. Usually, the evenings during Ramadan are lively,” he further said.
Outside, the streets were filled with anxious people. Thousands headed towards the airport in the hope of catching a flight. However, Bahrain, like most of the Middle Eastern nations, shut its airspace
“There are no flights available back to India. In the longer run, I do plan to return to India,” he said. There are around 3,50,000 Indian nationals in Bahrain, making them the largest expatriate community.
Asif requested the Narendra Modi government to evacuate the Indians who want to return. “I request the government to evacuate us as most of the Indian diaspora are not aware of where the shelters are,” he said.
