‘Operation Sindhu’ Begins: 290 Indian Students Evacuated from Iran in First Phase, More Flights Expected

A special evacuation flight carrying 290 Indian students stranded in conflict-hit Iran landed safely in New Delhi late Friday night, marking the successful launch of the first phase of Operation Sindhu, India’s mission to bring back citizens caught in the crossfire of escalating hostilities in the region.

Two additional chartered flights, including one from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, are scheduled to arrive later on Saturday, continuing the coordinated evacuation effort.

Iran Opens Airspace for Indian Evacuation Despite Regional Conflict

In a significant diplomatic gesture, Iran granted limited access to its airspace, which remains largely closed due to the ongoing conflict with Israel, to facilitate the Indian evacuation effort.

“Iran’s airspace is currently closed, but we’re facilitating limited access for the safe evacuation of Indian nationals,” said Mohammad Javad Hosseini, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Iranian Embassy in Delhi. He confirmed that more evacuation flights may be organized in the coming days in coordination with Indian authorities.

Relief and Patriotism as Evacuees Return

Scenes of emotional relief unfolded at Delhi Airport as students disembarked to chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Hindustan Zindabad’. Many spoke of the anxiety and fear they endured in Iran before their safe return.

“The Indian government has done a lot for us. I can’t express how peaceful it feels to be back home,” said one student, quoted by PTI, who flew in from Mashhad.

Sehrish Rafique, an MBBS student at Iran University of Medical Sciences, told ANI, “The situation in Iran was quite devastating. Initially, we didn’t think it would escalate this much. All Kashmiris are deeply grateful to the Indian government.”

Tazkiya Fatima from Noida shared, “There is a war-like situation there. We didn’t know if we’d make it out, but the Indian government made the process smooth and safe.”

Another evacuee, Mir Mohammad Musharraf from Pulwama, praised the timely intervention:

“Operation Sindhu is excellent. We were stuck in Tehran with no idea what to do. Even our landlords fled. The embassy was our only support—and they got us out.”

Many evacuees also expressed personal thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the swift action.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), out of the 290 evacuees, 190 hail from Jammu and Kashmir.

“Iran’s cooperation reflects the strength of India-Iran relations,” said Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa), MEA.

10,000 Indians in Iran; Evacuations Continue

As the Israel-Iran conflict enters its second week, India has intensified its efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens. Roughly 10,000 Indians, mainly students, were residing in Iran when the conflict escalated. Most were relocated to safer cities such as Qom and Mashhad prior to evacuation.

While no formal evacuation advisory has been issued, Indian authorities have urged citizens in Iran and Israel to remain alert and avoid unnecessary movement.

“We are facilitating the safe return of Indian nationals—by air, by land through third countries, or directly from Iran,” Hosseini confirmed.

Operation Sindhu continues as a critical humanitarian response, reflecting India’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens abroad amid turbulent global conditions.