India Successfully Evacuates 110 Students from War-Torn Iran in Operation Sindhu
NEW DELHI: In response to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, India has initiated Operation Sindhu to safely evacuate its citizens from Iran. On Thursday, June 19, 2025, the first evacuation flight, carrying 110 Indian citizens, predominantly students, touched down in New Delhi after departing from Yerevan, Armenia. The Indian Embassy in Tehran played a crucial role in coordinating the safe transfer of these students from conflict zones in Iran to Armenia, marking the initial phase of this critical mission.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the students, primarily from northern Iran’s Urmia Medical University, were transported overland to Armenia on June 17 under the supervision of Indian diplomatic missions in both countries. The group departed Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan on a special flight at 14:55 IST on June 18, arriving in New Delhi in the early hours of June 19. The MEA expressed gratitude to the governments of Iran and Armenia for their cooperation in facilitating the smooth execution of the evacuation.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association, 90 of the evacuated students hail from the Kashmir Valley. The association extended thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for their swift action in launching Operation Sindhu. “We remain optimistic that the remaining students will be evacuated soon,” the association stated.
At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, emotional reunions unfolded as families awaited the return of their loved ones. Haider Ali, father of 21-year-old MBBS student Maaz Haider, expressed relief and gratitude to the Indian government for the rescue efforts but voiced concern for students still stranded in Tehran. “We’re overjoyed to have our children back safely, but we urge the authorities to evacuate those still trapped in Tehran.
Parvez Alam, a resident of Bulandshahr, whose son Sameer Alam was among the evacuees, shared similar sentiments. “The situation in Iran deteriorated rapidly. We were under immense stress, but the Indian government ensured the students were safely moved to Armenia and accommodated in good hotels.
Mir Khalif, an MBBS student from Urmia, recounted the harrowing conditions in Iran. “We saw missiles and drones falling. The situation in Tehran is dire, and the news reports are accurate,” he said, urging the government to expedite the evacuation of others still in Iran. Khalif also thanked the Indian authorities for their efforts in relocating them first to Armenia and then back to India.
Tamheed Mughal, another evacuated student, spoke about the operation. “We’re deeply thankful to the Indian government. Our university advised us to return, and now we’re safely on our way to Delhi,” he said, noting that 110 students were evacuated via Armenia.
The MEA has established a 24×7 control room in New Delhi to assist Indian nationals in Iran and their families. Emergency contact numbers include +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109, +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709, and a toll-free line at 800118797, along with email support at situationroom@mea.gov.in. The ministry emphasized that the safety of Indian nationals abroad remains a top priority, with ongoing efforts to relocate citizens from high-risk areas to safer zones within Iran or facilitate their evacuation through viable routes.
As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, Operation Sindhu continues to unfold, with additional evacuation flights planned to bring more Indian nationals home safely.