‘Our building shook, we hope …’: Indian students share ordeal after evacuation from war-hit Iran
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
‘Our building shook, we hope …’: Indian students share ordeal after evacuation from war-hit Iran
Over 100 Indian medical students, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday morning. They were evacuated from war-torn Iran under the Indian government’s Operation Sindhu. The rescue mission was launched amid escalating tensions and aerial strikes linked to the Iran-Israel conflict. The special flight from Yerevan, Armenia, carried 110 students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Upon arrival at the Delhi airport, emotional scenes unfolded as families reunited with their children. Many students recalled harrowing experiences of airstrikes and bombings.
The special flight from Yerevan, Armenia, carried 110 students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences, including 90 from Jammu and Kashmir. Upon arrival at the Delhi airport, emotional scenes unfolded as families reunited with their children. Many students recalled harrowing experiences of airstrikes and bombings. “We saw missiles in the sky and heard bombs in our neighbourhood… our building shook,” said MBBS student Mir Khalif, who described the ordeal as a “nightmare.”
Fellow student Varta, also from Kashmir, added, “The situation was quite critical. We were terrified. But when the Indian government came to our doorstep, it felt like home.”
Government’s Swift Response
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh welcomed the students at the airport and reaffirmed India’s commitment to citizen safety. “We are sending more planes and continuing evacuation efforts,” he told reporters, thanking the governments of Armenia and Turkmenistan for their support. “Operation Sindhu brings people home,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X, sharing images of the rescued students.
Concerns Remain for Those Still Stranded
While the rescue was widely appreciated, families urged the government to expedite efforts for those still in Iran. Haider Ali, waiting for his son, said, “We are happy, but many students are still in Tehran. Please bring them back.”
Travel Woes for Return to Kashmir
Some students raised concerns over the poor condition of buses arranged to take them home to Jammu and Kashmir. Responding swiftly, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed that deluxe buses be arranged, with the Resident Commissioner coordinating efforts with JKRTC.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for the timely intervention and shared photos of returning students, calling it a moment of “relief and gratitude.”
Evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu are expected to continue in the coming days as the situation in Iran evolves.