Nepali National Killed in Iranian Attack in UAE was Diwas Shrestha of Gorkha

The Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi, citing the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Monday, March 2, that the Nepali national killed in the UAE following Iranian drone and missile strikes was 29-year-old Diwas Shrestha of Gorkha.

Shrestha, who worked as a security guard for a Middle East Company, died during an incident while neutralising a drone at Zayed International Airport, the embassy added.

On Sunday, the Dubai-based English daily Gulf News, citing the airport, reported: “the authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi dealt with an incident resulting from the interception of a drone that had targeted Zayed International Airport, leading to falling debris that caused one fatality of an Asian national and seven injuries.”

The embassy expressed deep sorrow over Shrestha’s death and said his body would be repatriated to Nepal once the situation stabilises.

According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, three people were killed in the UAE in the aftermath of Iranian drone and missile attacks. The other two victims were nationals of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The ministry said Sunday evening that UAE air force and air defence units intercepted 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the attacks began. Although most threats were neutralised, 35 drones fell within UAE territory, causing material damage. Of these, 21 struck civilian areas, resulting in casualties.

Nearly six dozen others — including Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationals — sustained minor injuries, the ministry added.