Safe Return of Over 300 Indian Nationals from Iran Amid Rising Tensions

On Sunday, a flight operated by Mahan Air (W50071A) safely landed at Delhi Airport, bringing back more than 300 Indian citizens, primarily students, who had been stranded in Iran. This development has alleviated the deep concerns and emotional turmoil faced by hundreds of families, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. The evacuation occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, following U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities. Among those evacuated were over 200 students from Kashmir, who had been studying in Iran and found themselves caught in the escalating conflict. Their return has provided relief to anxious relatives who had endured sleepless nights worrying about their children's safety.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, shared updates on social media, reaffirming India's commitment to ensuring the safe return of its citizens amid the growing conflict. He posted images of the evacuated individuals, stating, "Operation Sindhu continues. 311 Indian nationals arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad on a special flight at 4:30 PM on June 22. To date, 1,428 Indian citizens have been evacuated from Iran."

 

The Jammu and Kashmir Student Union expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government, the MEA, and the Indian embassy in Iran for their timely and effective intervention. In a statement, the union remarked, "These students, who endured crisis days in the war-torn region of Iran, have finally returned to the safety of their homeland and the warm embrace of their waiting families." The union also commended the swift coordination between Indian and Iranian officials, which ensured the evacuation during a "very serious situation."