New Delhi: In a continued display of swift diplomatic and logistical action, Operation Sindhu has successfully brought back 2,858 Indian nationals from war-torn Iran, with another batch of 282 evacuees landing in New Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday.
The evacuation mission was initiated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in response to the escalating military conflict between Iran and Israel, which had plunged the region into uncertainty over the past few weeks. A temporary ceasefire was brokered on Tuesday, offering a brief respite to the violence.
The latest special flight from Mashhad, Iran, touched down at 00:01 hrs on June 25, carrying Indian citizens who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government and embassy officials for ensuring their safety. “Two to four days ago, the situation was completely unpredictable. But the Indian Embassy made timely arrangements, and we didn’t face any trouble,” said one relieved returnee.
Another evacuee, Syed Adil Mansoor, shared, “I’m feeling good. The situation has stabilized now, and the Indian Embassy supported us a lot. The ground staff also worked very hard. We are thankful to them.” Many others echoed similar sentiments, praising the embassy’s coordination and swift action under trying circumstances.
This latest flight follows another that arrived just a day earlier, carrying 281 Indian nationals, along with three Sri Lankan and two Nepalese citizens. These passengers were received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, who highlighted India’s commitment to providing timely assistance during crises.
“This is the 11th batch evacuated from Iran under Operation Sindhu. With this, 2,576 Indians have been brought back from Iran, and 594 from Israel through three flights,” Margherita stated. “We’ve also extended support to our neighbours — Nepal and Sri Lanka — because India believes in helping friends in need.”
As of now, the total number of evacuees under Operation Sindhu stands at 3,180, including Indian and foreign nationals.
The evacuation efforts come against the backdrop of rapidly shifting dynamics in West Asia. The crisis began when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military installations on June 13. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israeli military assets, prompting the United States to intervene by targeting Iran’s key nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — in a series of precision airstrikes.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. However, peace remained elusive. Just hours after the announcement, the Israeli Air Force bombed an Iranian radar site near Tehran, prompting Iran to fire two ballistic missiles at Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
A visibly frustrated Trump condemned both nations for violating the truce, stating bluntly, “They’ve been fighting so long and so hard, they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing anymore.”
Later, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office released a statement saying that following a conversation between Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel had agreed to halt further strikes — at least temporarily.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, tensions remain high, and the situation in the region continues to be volatile. Against this uncertain backdrop, India’s focus remains firmly on ensuring the safety and repatriation of its citizens.
The Indian government has been working round the clock through its embassies and diplomatic channels to monitor the situation and coordinate evacuation flights. Officials have reiterated that further evacuations will continue if necessary, and every Indian stranded abroad will be given full support.
Operation Sindhu has now become a key example of India’s rapid response capability, not only in protecting its nationals but also in offering help to friendly neighbouring countries caught in the geopolitical crossfire.
As more flights are expected in the coming days depending on ground conditions, India’s robust foreign policy and humanitarian efforts continue to provide a lifeline to those in crisis.
