In a significant diplomatic and logistical operation, the Government of India has successfully evacuated 290 students—most of them from Jammu and Kashmir—from Mashhad, Iran, as part of Operation Sindhu, its emergency repatriation effort launched in response to rising hostilities between Iran and Israel.
The students landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday night, visibly relieved after days of uncertainty. The evacuation was made possible after Iranian authorities agreed to open their airspace for Indian flights—an act of cooperation that played a crucial role in the success of the mission.
“We Feel at Ease Now”
Speaking after their arrival, several students expressed gratitude to Indian authorities for the swift intervention.
“I am unable to express what I’m feeling right now. My family was very worried,” said Eliya Batool, one of the evacuees. “While we were safe and well looked after in Iran—the embassy provided us with five-star accommodation and full security—coming home brings real peace of mind.”
Another student, Maulana Mohammad Saeed, said the deteriorating situation in Iran had made many anxious. “We are grateful to be back safe and sound. The evacuation was handled smoothly and efficiently by the embassy and our ambassador.”
India Bypasses Turkish Airspace, Opts for Armenia
Operation Sindhu was launched earlier this week following a sharp escalation in regional tensions triggered by Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites and Tehran’s retaliatory missile attacks. India opted to evacuate its citizens via Armenia after Turkey reportedly refused to allow use of its airspace.
The Indian Embassy in Iran coordinated closely with local authorities, using an Iranian carrier to first fly the students from Tehran to Mashhad before their final departure to Delhi.
A separate group of 110 students had already arrived on Thursday via Yerevan and Doha, part of an ongoing series of extraction flights. An additional flight carrying evacuees from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is scheduled to land in the early hours of Saturday, taking the total number of Indians repatriated under Operation Sindhu to nearly 1,000.
Strategic Coordination Amid Volatility
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been working in close coordination with the Indian embassies in Iran, Armenia, and Turkmenistan, ensuring not only safe transit but also temporary accommodation and support for Indian nationals awaiting repatriation.
“This is not just a logistical exercise; it’s a demonstration of India’s ability to protect its citizens during international crises,” an MEA official told this reporter, requesting anonymity.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association welcomed the government’s action in a statement:
“Heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely intervention and support. It is a great relief for families who had been anxiously awaiting their return.”
A High-Stakes Operation
Operation Sindhu is India’s latest large-scale evacuation effort in a region historically prone to conflict. While the Indian government has not disclosed the total number of nationals still in affected areas, officials confirmed that evacuation flights would continue as long as required.
With geopolitical tensions in the Middle East showing no signs of de-escalation, Operation Sindhu represents a crucial lifeline for Indian citizens caught in the crossfire.
