Fear, relief as Operation Sindhu brings back students from Iran

THE FIRST PHASE HAS SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT 110 STUDENTS BACK TO INDIA

- BY STEPHEN N. R.

The Indian government has launched Operation Sindhu, a major evacuation effort to bring Indian nationals home from Iran, as tensions escalate in the wake of the Iran-Israel conflict.

The first phase of the operation has successfully brought 110 students back to India.

According to a statement by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the students, primarily from northern Iran, were evacuated via Armenia and flown from Yerevan to New Delhi on a special flight.

They landed in India in the early hours of Wednesday.

"India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran. 110 students from northern Iran crossed into Armenia under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia. They departed from Yerevan on a special flight and have now safely reached New Delhi," Jaiswal posted on X.

"India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of her nationals abroad."

Among the evacuees were students from Urmia University, in northwestern Iran.

'Great job by government'

Many expressed relief and gratitude for the swift rescue efforts and detailed the deteriorating conditions in the region.

"The situation is worsening day by day, especially in Tehran," a student told reporters.