A new group of Indian nationals evacuated from conflict-hit Iran arrived safely in New Delhi on Saturday as part of the ongoing Operation Sindhu, with many returnees expressing deep gratitude for the government’s rapid and coordinated response.
The operation, led by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Tehran, continues to bring home citizens stranded amid escalating tensions in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Zaffar Abbas Naqvi, one of the evacuees, recounted his harrowing experience of fleeing the violence and praised the government for its swift intervention.
“Everything was going fine, but then we heard that Iran had been attacked. We stayed indoors for a while and then moved to Mashhad, which also came under attack. We contacted the Indian government and the action was so swift that we cannot express our gratitude in words. I thank Modi ji and Yogi ji for making all the arrangements for us,” Naqvi said.
Another returnee, Kulsum, said the deteriorating situation in Iran had left her deeply worried.
“We were very anxious, but the government helped us a lot and brought us home safely. We’re grateful,” she told ANI.
Mohammad Ali Qazim, who had been on a religious journey in Mashhad, also shared his relief.
“The situation in Tehran and Mashhad was not good. The Indian government helped us cross the border and return home. The Uttar Pradesh government is also helping us get back to our native place. It feels great to be back,” he said.
The latest batch of evacuees follows a similar group that landed late Friday night in Delhi, with chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Hindustan Zindabad’ echoing through Indira Gandhi International Airport. That special charter flight carried 290 Indian nationals, including students and pilgrims, and was received by Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA), MEA.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the successful evacuation in a post on X: “Operation Sindhu flight brings citizens home. Evacuated 290 Indian nationals from Iran by a charter flight. The Government of India is grateful to the Government of Iran for facilitating the process.”
The government continues to coordinate efforts with local state administrations, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, to assist returnees in safely reaching their hometowns.
With tensions persisting in the region, Operation Sindhu remains an active mission aimed at ensuring the safe return of all Indian citizens, reinforcing India’s commitment to the welfare of its nationals abroad.
