110 Indian students evacuated from war-hit Iran arrive safely in Delhi; majority from Jammu and Kashmir
PTC Web Desk: A group of 110 Indian students stranded in conflict-hit Iran has safely returned to India, landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The majority—around 90 students—hail from Jammu and Kashmir.
These students, all enrolled at Urmia Medical University, form the first batch to be evacuated amid the ongoing Iran-Israel hostilities. Their return journey included transit stops in Armenia and Doha, before finally boarding a delayed flight to Delhi last evening.
Amid intensifying tensions between Iran and Israel, families of Indian students studying in Iran, especially in Kashmir, have raised urgent appeals for government assistance. The region has witnessed widespread protests, as it contributes a large number of medical students to Iran annually. With over 13,000 Indian students reportedly studying in Iran, primarily in medical institutions, concerns continue to mount over their safety.
Acknowledging the evacuation, the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for their prompt action. The association expressed hope that more students will be brought back soon.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the association confirmed that the Indian government covered all travel expenses, including the onward journey from Delhi to Srinagar. "We deeply appreciate the efforts made to ensure a seamless return home," the post read.
Apart from students, several other Indian nationals, including pilgrims, remain stranded in Iran. In response, the Indian Embassy in Tehran activated an emergency helpline on Sunday, urging citizens to leave the country at the earliest.
The evacuation comes amid rising conflict in the Middle East, with Israel launching "Operation Rising Lion" targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities last week. Iran retaliated with a large-scale missile and drone offensive, resulting in over 20 deaths and hundreds injured in Israel.
On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit targets in Tehran after civilians were warned to evacuate specific districts. Later, Israel claimed it struck a nuclear facility, while Iran responded with the launch of hypersonic missiles.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning following U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks, cautioning that any American military action would have "serious irreparable consequences." Although the US denies involvement, President Trump indicated that his patience is "wearing thin" regarding the conflict.
- With inputs from agencies
