As part of the ongoing Operation Sindhu, a special flight carrying 285 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-hit Iran arrived safely in New Delhi on Sunday night. With this latest group, the total number of Indian citizens evacuated under the mission has risen to 1,713.
This marks the eighth successful batch of evacuations since the launch of Operation Sindhu. The evacuees, who arrived from Mashhad, were received at the airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated: “India’s evacuation efforts continue under Operation Sindhu. MoS Shri Pabitra Margherita received 285 Indian nationals evacuated on a special flight from Mashhad that landed in New Delhi at 2330 hrs on 22 June.”
MoS Margherita also shared his thoughts on the mission via X, writing: “Warmly welcomed 285 Indian nationals at the Delhi airport who were evacuated from Iran under Operation Sindhu. With this, 1,713 Indian nationals have been brought home safely.”
Evacuees from across various Indian states expressed deep gratitude to the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring their safe return.
Fazal Abbas from Lucknow said, “I am feeling very good… PM Modi considers everyone his family. He rescued us from Iran and brought us home.”
Another returnee, SN Zaidi, thanked the government, embassy, and MEA, while evacuee Marshal shared, “Words cannot describe the relief I feel. We thank the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the Ministry of External Affairs.”
Raza, also among the evacuees, lauded the swift action, saying, “The Indian Embassy is working really hard. We were confident the Modi government would rescue us.”
Satheer Fatima described the situation in Iran as “very dangerous,” and Syed Shehzad Ali Jafri from Mumbai expressed pride in the Indian government: “I have worked in Iran for the past three years. Today, I’m home thanks to our government’s support.”
Shama Firoz and Tehmeena also voiced their relief, adding, “We prayed to return safely, and the government fulfilled that wish.”
Earlier in the day, another special flight carrying 311 Indian nationals from Mashhad landed in Delhi at 4:30 pm, according to the MEA.
India continues to closely monitor the situation in Iran and remains committed to bringing back every stranded citizen under Operation Sindhu.
