The majority of Returnees from Kashmir, Operation Sindhu Continues Amid Escalating Regional Tensions

THE NEWS DOSE DESK

New Delhi, June 22
A Mahan Air flight carrying 256 Indian students, most of whom were from Jammu and Kashmir, landed safely at the International Airport in Delhi on Saturday, bringing a wave of relief to anxious families back home. The students, evacuated from Iran amid growing instability in the Middle East, appeared visibly fatigued but immensely relieved after enduring several tense days in the conflict zone.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for our students and their families. We are thankful to the Government of India for its timely efforts and close coordination with Iranian authorities,” said a spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association, which has been actively supporting the stranded students.

The association confirmed that another evacuation flight from Iran is expected to arrive in Delhi later tonight, around 11:30 PM.

This marks the second evacuation flight from Iran in less than 24 hours under Operation Sindhu—the special rescue initiative launched by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to bring home Indians caught in the crossfire of the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. On Friday night, another flight from Mashhad, carrying 290 Indian students—again, mainly from Jammu and Kashmir—arrived in the national capital.

Evacuation Logistics and Diplomatic Coordination

According to sources, Indian authorities worked closely with the Iranian government to facilitate the safe movement of students from Tehran to Mashhad, where they were able to board the evacuation flights. In a significant diplomatic gesture, Iran opened its airspace to support the safe passage of Indian nationals.

So far, nearly 1,000 Indian citizens are being brought back through a series of coordinated flights. Two more flights, including one from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (scheduled to land around 3 AM on Sunday), are also part of the ongoing operation.

A Community’s Gratitude and Relief

In its statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association expressed heartfelt thanks” to the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and other coordinating agencies, adding that the evacuations have brought “emotional and psychological relief to hundreds of families” across the Union Territory.

Operation Sindhu: A Rapid Response Mission

Operation Sindhu was launched by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last week in response to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. The conflict, marked by missile strikes and rising geopolitical tensions, has disrupted commercial air traffic and left many Indians stranded in the region.

Earlier, on Thursday, a group of 110 Indian students was airlifted via Armenia and Doha, marking the first phase of the evacuation mission.

As the situation in the region continues to evolve, officials have assured that rescue efforts will continue until all Indian nationals are safely brought home.