A group of 110 Indian students, evacuated from war-hit Iran under ‘Operation Sindhu,’ safely arrived in Delhi early Thursday morning, bringing with them emotional stories of survival and gratitude toward the Indian government.
The evacuation comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, which led to missile attacks in various parts of Iran, including areas near student accommodations. Students were first moved from Tehran to Armenia, thanks to coordinated efforts by the Indian Embassy.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed ongoing evacuation efforts. “We have planes ready and are also evacuating people from Turkmenistan. Our missions are operating 24/7 to respond to calls for help,” he told reporters, thanking Armenia and Turkmenistan for their assistance.
Students Share Terrifying Experiences
Varta, a medical student from Kashmir, described the fear they lived through. “Our neighborhood was attacked. When the Indian government came to our doorstep, it felt like home,” she said, thanking both Indian and Armenian authorities for their support.
Mir Khalif, another student, said, “We saw missiles. We were terrified. I hope we never see such days again.” He emphasized the urgency of rescuing the remaining Indian students still stranded in dangerous areas.
Ali Akbar, a student from Delhi, shared a chilling account: “While we were on the bus, we saw a missile and a drone fall. Tehran has been devastated.”
Families Reunite, Many Still Waiting
Outside the Delhi airport, emotional reunions unfolded as parents waited anxiously. Haider Ali, father of 21-year-old MBBS student Maaz Haider, said, “We are happy and grateful. But we’re still worried about students stuck in Tehran.”
Parvez Alam from Bulandshahr, father of student Sameer Alam, added, “The government did a commendable job. The students were kept safe in Armenia. We thank them.”
Hope for Those Still Stranded
The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association expressed appreciation for the government’s prompt action and voiced hope that all remaining students would be safely brought home soon. “We thank Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for the evacuation effort. We remain hopeful for the safe return of the rest,” the group said in a statement.
Operation Sindhu remains ongoing, with the Indian government promising more flights as needed, depending on how the situation in the region unfolds.
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