Israel-Iran conflict: Third evacuation flight from Iran with over 250 Indians, mostly Kashmiri students, lands in Delhi
PTC Web Desk: In a major relief operation, a Mahan Air flight carrying 256 Indian nationals, the majority of whom were students from Jammu & Kashmir, landed safely in Delhi this evening amid the escalating tensions in Iran.
The returnees were visibly exhausted, having spent days in fear and uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Many families, especially in the Kashmir Valley, had been anxiously awaiting the safe return of their children. The Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association expressed gratitude towards the Union government for acting swiftly and coordinating effectively with Iranian authorities to ensure a timely evacuation.
Passengers onboard included not just students but also Indian citizens who were in Iran for tourism and business purposes. Several of them shared chilling accounts of the situation on the ground.
“The conditions were terrifying. We witnessed missile attacks, and all we wanted was to get home safely,” said a woman outside Delhi Airport, holding her infant in her arms, shortly after exiting the terminal.
This evacuation is part of a broader effort by the Indian government to repatriate its citizens stranded in conflict zones. In total, around 1,000 Indian nationals are being brought back through a series of special evacuation flights. Additional flights, including one scheduled to arrive from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, are expected to land in the early hours of Sunday.
- With inputs from agencies
