‘The windows shook, fear gripped us’: Indians in Qatar shaken as Iranian missiles rain down

Doha was jolted from its calm June 23 night as Iranian missiles targeted the Al Udeid Air Base, sending shockwaves — both literal and emotional — across the city. For many Indian expatriates, it was a night unlike any other.

“It was as if the ground itself trembled,” recalled a 36-year-old Indian resident of Doha’s Bin Mahmud district, describing the terrifying sequence of explosions. “First we heard four, maybe five blasts, and then the windows began to rattle. I’ve lived here for over a decade — but never felt such fear before.”

In nearby neighborhoods, the fear was just as palpable. Fragments, suspected to be missile debris, landed alarmingly close to residential buildings. “We heard a massive blast, and then pieces of metal fell near our home,” said another Indian resident who requested anonymity. Like many, his family immediately recorded videos of the fragments, sending them back home to anxious relatives in Kerala. “It’s frightening,” he admitted.

With over 800,000 Indians living and working in Qatar — the largest expatriate community in the resource-rich Gulf nation — June 24 incident has sparked a wave of unease. As tensions between Iran and Israel escalated, many residents had already begun stockpiling essentials, bracing for the worst. “Supermarkets have been crowded for days now. People are preparing as though something big is coming,” said one expat.

The Indian Embassy in Doha swiftly issued an advisory: “In view of the ongoing situation, the Indian community in Qatar is urged to remain cautious and indoors. Stay calm and follow guidance from Qatari authorities. The Embassy will continue to provide updates via social media.”

While Qatar reported that its air defenses successfully intercepted the incoming missiles, and no casualties were reported, the psychological impact lingers. “We pray this is resolved peacefully. Qatar has been our home for years — it’s not easy to think of leaving everything behind,” said another long-term Indian resident.

The attack on the US-operated Al Udeid Air Base — a critical hub for American military operations in the region — has drawn strong condemnation from Doha. Still, as the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait shut their airspaces in response, the specter of conflict now looms unnervingly close for Gulf residents.