A special flight carrying 290 Indian students evacuated from Iran under "Operation Sindhu" has landed in Delhi late Friday night. This marks a significant step in India's efforts to bring its citizens home amidst escalating tensions in the region. The majority of the students are reportedly from Jammu and Kashmir.
The evacuation was made possible after Iran made a special gesture by easing its airspace restrictions, which had been in place due to the ongoing conflict with Israel. This allowed three flights to operate, bringing back approximately 1,000 Indians in total. The evacuated students had been moved to Mashhad from Tehran following recent Israeli attacks.
"Operation Sindhu" was launched by the Indian government in response to the deteriorating security situation in Iran and Israel. The operation aims to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals from both countries.
The evacuation flights are being operated by Iranian airline Mahan, with arrangements coordinated by the Indian government. Another flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is expected to arrive in Delhi early Saturday morning, followed by a third flight later in the day.
Prior to this special flight, a group of 110 Indian students were evacuated via Armenia and Doha before boarding a flight to Delhi.
Mohammad Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy, stated that more evacuation flights could be arranged in the coming days if needed, emphasizing the close ties between the two countries by saying, "We consider Indians as our own people."
Indian students arriving in Delhi have expressed their gratitude to the Indian government for their safe evacuation. Many described the situation in Iran as "bad" and noted that people there are extremely "scared."
One student, Sheikh Afsa, praised the government's efforts, saying that they were evacuated "from their doors" and that the government helped them at every step. Another student expressed relief at being back in India, stating that the situation in other parts of Iran was bad and that the Indian government's assistance was invaluable.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reiterated the Indian government's commitment to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. The Indian Embassy in Iran is actively assisting nationals in relocating from hostile regions to safer zones and facilitating their departure from the country. Indian citizens still in Iran have been advised to remain in close contact with the embassy and the 24/7 control room set up by the MEA in New Delhi.
The evacuation operation comes as tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated in recent weeks. Following Israeli strikes on multiple targets in Iran, including the capital Tehran, Iran shut its airspace until further notice. However, in a special exception for India, Iran agreed to ease the restrictions to allow the evacuation flights to proceed.
The safe return of these students brings relief to their families and underscores the Indian government's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad during times of crisis. "Operation Sindhu" represents a coordinated effort between India and Iran to ensure the well-being of Indian nationals amidst a volatile geopolitical landscape.
