A flight carrying 290 Indian students from Iran landed in New Delhi on Friday night, marking the beginning of the evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu. This operation was initiated by the Indian government to safely bring back its citizens amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The students, primarily from Jammu and Kashmir, arrived at Delhi Airport and expressed relief and gratitude towards the Indian government for their safe return.

Iran made a special accommodation by opening its airspace, which is otherwise closed to most international flights due to the ongoing conflict, exclusively for the Indian evacuation flights. Mohammad Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy in Delhi, stated that this arrangement was made to ensure the safe passage of Indian nationals, whom they consider "their own people." He also mentioned that the Iranian Foreign Ministry is working closely with the Indian mission in Tehran to facilitate the evacuation process.

The evacuation flights are being operated by Iranian carrier Mahan Air, and New Delhi is coordinating the entire operation. The first flight from Mashhad has already arrived, and two more flights are scheduled for Saturday, one from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and another later in the evening. Approximately 1,000 Indian nationals, mainly students who were relocated from Tehran to Qom and then to Mashhad following Israeli strikes on Tehran, are expected to be evacuated through these flights.

Prior to this, 110 Indian students were evacuated from northern Iran via a land crossing to Armenia. From Yerevan, they boarded a special flight to Delhi, highlighting the collaborative efforts between India, Iran, and Armenia in ensuring the safe return of Indian citizens.

The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad and is closely monitoring the situation. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has also been making arrangements to evacuate Indian nationals who wish to leave Israel, facilitating their travel through land borders and then by air to India.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Indian government, the Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely intervention and support. They acknowledged the great relief for families who had been anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones.

Operation Sindhu underscores India's commitment to its citizens' safety in conflict zones and highlights the importance of international cooperation in humanitarian efforts. As the evacuation efforts continue, the safe return of all Indian nationals remains the top priority.