First batch of Indians evacuated from Iran arrives safely in Delhi

India’s evacuation mission from conflict-hit Iran took a major step forward early Thursday as the first batch of 110 Indian nationals — mostly students — arrived safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi under Operation Sindhu.

The operation comes amid intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel, which have severely impacted civilian life and disrupted air travel across the region.

The evacuees, including over 90 students from Jammu & Kashmir studying at Urmia University of Medical Sciences in northwestern Iran, undertook a long and complex journey that included a road trip into Armenia, followed by connecting flights through Yerevan and Doha.

Upon arrival, the returnees were received by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who welcomed them and commended the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for their rapid coordination.

Many of the returnees described tense and frightening scenes as missile sirens blared near their dormitories and internet access was cut off amid Iranian air defense activity.

“We were extremely scared. There were blackouts, and we could hear bombs in the distance. But the Indian Embassy assured us they were working on a way out, and they did,” said Arooj Jan, a final-year medical student from Srinagar.

Others shared how food supplies were dwindling in student residences, and banking services were inaccessible. “We had no idea what was happening outside; calls weren’t going through, and everything was shut down,” said Tanveer Ahmad from Baramulla.

The Indian government launched Operation Sindhu on June 18 in response to the escalating regional conflict. According to the Indian ministry of external affairs, over 4,000 Indian nationals remain in Iran, with approximately 2,000 of them being students. The ministry has

established 24/7 emergency helplines and control rooms to assist those stranded.

Evacuation routes have been established through Armenia, Turkmenistan, and the UAE, and further batches are expected to be airlifted in the coming days. India is working closely with regional governments to ensure safe passage through land and air corridors.