A special flight carrying 110 Indian nationals evacuated from war-torn Iran safely landed in New Delhi under Operation Sindhu, a rescue mission launched by the Indian government in response to the intensifying Iran-Israel conflict.
The evacuees, mostly Indian students from Urmia University, expressed relief and gratitude upon returning home. They praised the Indian government and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for the swift and well-coordinated evacuation effort.
“The situation in Iran, especially in Tehran, is worsening day by day… Indian authorities are doing a great job. All students are being evacuated and taken to safe places,” said one of the evacuated students.
Another student explained their evacuation route: “We were taken from Urmia to Armenia, then to Qatar, and finally brought back to India.”
Many recalled the terrifying days leading up to their departure. Yasir Gaffar, one of the students, said, “We saw missiles passing by, and the loud sounds at night were terrifying… But I haven’t given up on my dreams. Once the situation improves, I’ll return to Iran to complete my studies.”
Ghazal, another student, shared, “We are all very happy to return home. The Indian Embassy evacuated us properly. We are very thankful to them.”
Mariam Roz added that the embassy had planned everything in advance. “We faced no issues during the evacuation. Though tired from three days of travel, we are relieved. From our dorms, we could see missiles flying by.”
Many students echoed sentiments of sorrow about the war and its impact on civilians. Amaan Azhar said, “I’m so happy to be with my family again, but children are suffering over there. War destroys humanity.”
Family members who gathered to receive their loved ones in Delhi also expressed heartfelt thanks to the Indian government.
“I want to thank the government. My son, an MBBS student, is safe now. But I urge authorities to help those still stuck in Tehran,” said a father who travelled from Rajasthan to welcome his son.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the launch of Operation Sindhu via a statement on social media. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X:
“India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. On June 17, 110 students from northern Iran crossed into Armenia under supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia. They departed from Yerevan and landed in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19. India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of her nationals abroad.”
As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to rise, the Indian government is expected to expand evacuation efforts to ensure the safety of all its citizens still in conflict-affected zones.
