Relief and Reunion: 256 Indian students from Iran arrive in Delhi on the third evacuation flight, bringing comfort to waiting families. Photo Credit: PTI
A third evacuation flight carrying 256 Indian students from Iran, the majority from Jammu and Kashmir, landed safely at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday evening. The flight brought a fresh wave of emotional reunions as families welcomed their loved ones home after days of tension and uncertainty.
The returnees were among those stranded in Iran due to escalating hostilities in the region following the Israel-Iran conflict, which has disrupted civilian airspace and forced multiple countries to initiate emergency repatriation efforts.
This was the third successful evacuation flight bringing Indians home from Iran in recent days. It followed Friday night’s arrival of 290 students from Mashhad and an earlier flight earlier in the week that rescued 110 Indian nationals via Armenia.
Exhausted but Safe: Students Recount Ordeal
The students, many of whom are enrolled in medical universities in Iran, appeared visibly exhausted but relieved. Some shared that they had endured days of fear amid air raid sirens, limited communication, and uncertainty over their return.
“We didn’t sleep for nights. We were scared and cut off. It feels unreal to be back home,” said Shazia, a fourth-year student from Baramulla.
“Once we boarded the flight, there was finally a sense of hope,” added another evacuee from Anantnag.
Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association Welcomes Return
The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association welcomed the third successful evacuation, thanking the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India, and Iranian authorities for their swift coordination and support.
“We remain committed to ensuring that every remaining student is brought back safely, especially those from remote and vulnerable regions,” the Association said in a statement. It also confirmed that another flight is expected to land in Delhi around 11:30 pm tonight, carrying more Indian students from Mashhad.
From Tehran to Mashhad: Coordinated Transfers
Many of the students had to be moved from Tehran and other interior cities to Mashhad, where evacuation flights were being organized. The Indian Embassy in Tehran played a central role in securing permissions, arranging travel logistics, and providing students with temporary shelter and updates.
Iran’s decision to open its airspace for Indian humanitarian flights, despite broader regional flight restrictions, was key to the success of the operation.
Nearly 1,000 Indians Being Repatriated
According to government estimates, close to 1,000 Indian nationals, mostly students, are being brought back from Iran through a series of special evacuation flights.
With Saturday’s arrivals, the number of evacuees has now crossed 650. Two additional flights are scheduled to arrive soon—one from Mashhad and another from Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, expected to land in Delhi around 3:00 am Sunday.
“Heartfelt thanks to the Indian government and the MEA for this timely help. It’s a huge relief for families like ours,” said Mohammad Altaf, whose son returned on the latest flight.
A Nation’s Commitment in Crisis
These evacuation efforts come in response to the worsening Israel-Iran conflict, which has not only led to civilian unrest and airspace shutdowns but also stranded thousands of foreign nationals. India has responded with coordinated diplomacy and logistical efficiency—mobilizing its embassies, activating helplines, and ensuring continuous communication with affected citizens.
The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that it is committed to bringing back every registered Indian from the region. A dedicated helpline remains active for students and their families, and further advisories are being issued by Indian missions in Iran and surrounding countries.
