New Delhi: As tensions continue to rise amid the Iran-Israel conflict, India’s Operation Sindhu has successfully brought back a total of 1,117 Indian nationals from Iran. The latest evacuation flight carrying 290 passengers landed safely in New Delhi at 11:30 PM on Saturday. Earlier the same day, another group of 310 citizens had arrived at 4:30 PM.
On the night of June 20, two separate flights returned with 407 Indians. One flight landed at 10:30 PM with 290 passengers, including 190 Kashmiri students, while another arrived at 3 AM with 117 individuals on board. These groups included citizens from Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and West Bengal.
The initial batch of 110 Indian students had been flown in on June 19 through transit points in Armenia and Doha. As evacuees disembarked in Delhi, the airport echoed with patriotic slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” Some passengers were visibly emotional—many shed tears, while others knelt and kissed the ground in gratitude.
Voices from the Ground: Emotional Homecomings
Mohammad Ashfaq expressed deep relief, saying, “It feels amazing to return home. The Indian Embassy in Iran supported us throughout. I’m truly grateful.”
Ustaq, a student from Kashmir, shared, “The situation in Iran was concerning. I thank the Indian Government, the Kashmir administration, and the embassy for ensuring our safe return.”
Syed Nihal Haider said, “We felt stranded while we were there, but the arrangements made for our return were excellent. It’s good to be home.”
Fatima, another returnee, conveyed heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Modi, saying, “Now that I’m back in my homeland, I feel at peace. I’m overjoyed to be home.”
Elia Batool added, “My family was constantly worried. Returning has brought us relief. The embassy staff took great care of us throughout the ordeal.”
Syed Mansoor Hussain reflected the sentiment of many, saying, “Touching the soil of Mother India brought tears to our eyes. I’m thankful to the Government. We love our country dearly.”
Almas Rizvi, a native of Prayagraj, emphasized the quality of care received, “We were placed in a good hotel, with timely meals and continuous support from the Indian Embassy. Despite the situation, it never felt like we were in a war zone.”
Iran Reopens Airspace, Facilitating Indian Evacuations
India’s evacuation efforts gained momentum after Iran reopened its airspace, which had previously been restricted due to the regional conflict. Nearly 1,000 Indian citizens, primarily students, were first relocated from Tehran to Mashhad. From there, they were flown back to India aboard three special chartered flights operated by Mahan Air.
The Indian government coordinated the repatriation through Operation Sindhu, a mission aimed at ensuring the swift and safe return of Indian nationals amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Mohammad Javad Hosseini, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Iranian Embassy, indicated that additional flights could be scheduled based on evolving needs.