Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Indian expatriate community is mourning the loss of Basheer (41), a non-resident Indian (NRI) from Kerala’s Kasaragod district, who was tragically shot dead in Bisha, located in Saudi Arabia’s Asir province.The fatal incident took place on Saturday night while Basheer was cleaning his vehicle near his residence. Eyewitnesses report that an unidentified group arrived in a car and opened fire, leaving him critically injured. Residents in the vicinity, upon hearing the gunshots, rushed to the scene where they found Basheer in a pool of blood inside his car. A nearby Egyptian national transported him to King Abdullah Hospital; however, he succumbed to his injuries en route.Local CCTV footage has reportedly captured a vehicle arriving at the scene around the time of the attack. Witnesses have also stated that Basheer was seen purchasing food from a nearby market shortly before the tragic incident.
Efforts are underway to complete post-mortem and legal formalities, led by Hamza Kannur, President of Bisha KMCC and a member of the Jeddah Indian Consulate Welfare Committee. Social workers Abdul Aziz Pathiparamban and Mujeeb Saqafi are assisting with legal procedures.
Basheer, who had lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for the past 13 years under a house driver visa, is survived by his father Asainar Muhammad, mother Mariyum Muhammad, wife Nasrin Begum, and two children, Mariyum Hala and Muhammad Bilal. He was also a member of the Indian Cultural Forum (ICF).
The Saudi police have launched an investigation into the case, though no official details regarding the perpetrators or motive have been disclosed yet.
Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant as investigations unfold.
