New Delhi: A group of 110 Indian students from Urmia Medical University in Iran landed safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after being evacuated from the conflict-hit region under India’s ‘Operation Sindhu’. A majority of the students — around 90 — are from Jammu and Kashmir, which sends a large number of students to Iranian medical universities.
The evacuation was carried out amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, with the students first being moved across the Iran-Armenia land border, and later flown to Delhi via Doha. Their flight was delayed by nearly three hours. Upon arrival, many students expressed relief and gratitude to the Indian government and the Indian Embassy in Tehran for facilitating their safe return.
However, students also voiced concerns over the poor condition of buses provided by the Jammu and Kashmir government to transport them home from Delhi. Many said the buses were not in a “stable condition,” and some students said they were too exhausted to undertake another long and uncomfortable journey by road.
Student Shaikh Afsa, from Kashmir, said, “We are tired and emotionally drained. The buses arranged for us are not safe for such a long journey. We’ve requested Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to arrange alternate transport.” Another student recounted a near-death experience while fleeing Iran, saying a missile had landed near their bus during travel inside Tehran.
In response, the Office of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the students’ concerns and said it is coordinating with the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) to provide better and more comfortable deluxe buses for their onward journey.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar for the swift evacuation. They also noted that the entire travel cost, including the Delhi–Srinagar leg, was borne by the Union Government, ensuring a seamless return for the students.
Rising Israel-Iran Tensions
The evacuation took place amid a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. The conflict began when Israel launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’ against Iran’s suspected nuclear facilities. In retaliation, Tehran fired missiles and drones at Israeli cities, killing over 20 people and injuring hundreds.
On Wednesday, Israeli warplanes struck multiple locations in Tehran, prompting Iran to respond with hypersonic missile launches. Israel later claimed to have attacked a nuclear site and declared that its military “now controls the skies over Tehran.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a video message, “We are striking the Ayatollahs’ regime with great force. We are eliminating the nuclear and ballistic missile threats, step by step.”
So far, over 250 people have died in the ongoing conflict, with more than 220 casualties reported in Iran alone.
As tensions continue, Indian authorities are expected to ramp up evacuation efforts. Reports estimate that over 4,000 Indian nationals, including more than 2,000 students, are still in Iran.
With the academic futures of many hanging in the balance, some students say they are eager to return once the situation stabilizes. “Our practical classes are important. We just want this war to end so we can continue our studies,” one student said.
