As part of India’s ongoing evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu, a special flight carrying 290 Indian nationals—including students and religious pilgrims—landed safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport late Friday night. The evacuation follows the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
The chartered flight touched down at 11:30 PM IST and was received by Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the successful mission in a post on X, stating: “Operation Sindhu flight brings citizens home. Evacuated 290 Indian nationals from Iran, including students and religious pilgrims… The Government of India is grateful to the Government of Iran for facilitating the evacuation process.”
Of the 290 evacuees, around 190 were from Jammu and Kashmir, with others from Delhi, Haryana, and West Bengal. Chatterjee noted that all returnees expressed deep gratitude toward the Indian government and relief at being back on home soil. He also acknowledged Iran’s cooperation in opening its airspace for the evacuation.
Plans are now underway to evacuate Indian nationals from Israel as well. “Discussions are ongoing with the Israeli government, and we will bring back Indians stranded in Israel soon,” Chatterjee added.
Several evacuees described their ordeal amid the ongoing hostilities. “We were very scared there,” said one returnee, reflecting the anxiety experienced by many in the conflict zone.
Meanwhile, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah revealed that additional Indian students, particularly from J&K, are being transported via land routes to Armenia before flying back to India.
“We expect 300 to 400 more students to arrive soon. They are being taken to cities away from bombing zones, from where they will be safely returned,” Abdullah said.
He also emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
“These bombings must stop. Such issues should be resolved through dialogue,” he urged, drawing a distinction between regional conflicts and larger geopolitical dynamics.
Abdullah further voiced concerns about the U.S.’s role in the conflict and India-U.S. relations, stating, “The U.S. acts in its own interest. We cannot dictate their diplomacy.”
Earlier this week, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh welcomed the first group of 110 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran. As Operation Sindhu continues, the Indian government remains focused on securing the safe return of all citizens from conflict-affected regions.
