New Delhi, June 21 (OT Webdesk)— In a critical humanitarian effort, 290 Indian students stranded in war-affected Iran arrived safely in New Delhi late Friday under the first phase of Operation Sindhu.
Coordinated by the Indian government, the evacuation was made possible after Iran opened its airspace amid regional conflict for the safe passage of Indian nationals.
As the aircraft touched down, chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” resonated through the air, reflecting the students’ immense relief and patriotism.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 190 of the evacuees hail from Jammu and Kashmir.
Evacuees shared harrowing tales of uncertainty, displacement, and fear. “Even our landlords fled. The Indian Embassy was the only ray of hope,” recalled Mir Mohammad Musharraf from Pulwama.
Others praised the smooth and timely intervention by MEA officials and embassy staff, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for prioritising their safe return.
Two more chartered flights, including one from Ashgabat, are expected to continue the evacuation drive over the weekend, as India reinforces its commitment to protecting citizens caught in conflict zones abroad.
