Operation Sindhu: Flight carrying 100 Indian students evacuated from Iran via Armenia lands in Delhi

Over 100 Indian students evacuated from war-torn Iran landed safely in New Delhi on Thursday under 'Operation Sindhu'. As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, the students were first moved to Armenia with the help of the Indian Embassy before being flown home. read more
The first flight carrying over 100 Indian students evacuated from war-hit Iran landed in New Delhi in the early hours of Thursday. Amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, 110 students were moved from Tehran to Armenia under 'Operation Sindhu', an initiative led by the Indian Embassy.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for initiating the evacuation. 'We remain hopeful that all remaining students will be evacuated soon,' the association said in a statement.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
At the airport, emotional scenes unfolded as anxious parents waited to reunite with their children.
Haider Ali, father of 21-year-old MBBS student Maaz Haider, thanked the government for the safe return but urged immediate evacuation of those still stranded in Tehran. 'We are happy the students have come back safely, but others are still in danger,' he said.
Parvez Alam, whose son studies in Urmia, recalled the stress his family faced. 'The situation turned serious recently. We thank the Indian government—they moved the students to Armenia and ensured their safety,' the Bulandshahr resident told PTI.
Mir Khalif, a medical student who returned on the flight, described the fear they endured. 'Missiles flew over us. Our neighbourhood was bombed. It felt like war,' he said, while expressing hope for the safe return of others still in Iran.
Another student, Ali Akbar from Delhi, recounted a chilling moment on their bus journey: 'We saw a missile and a drone crash. Tehran has been devastated. The news coverage is accurate—it's really bad.'
Officials said efforts are underway to relocate remaining students to safer zones before further evacuation.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

India Gazette

24 minutes ago

• India Gazette

Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcoms safe return of Indian nationals evacuated from Iran under Op Sindhu

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 21 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday welcomed the safe return of Indian nationals evacuated from Iran under Operation Sindhu, a rescue mission launched by the Indian government amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. 'Through Operation Sindhu, our Indian brothers and sisters stranded in Iran are being brought back. More than a thousand people have come back, I welcome all of them,' the Union Minister told reporters here. Goyal emphasised the importance of resolving issues through dialogue but warned that terrorist acts would be met with a strong response, leaving 'no stone unturned'. 'Also, as the Prime Minister says all the time, issues should be resolved through dialogue. But if someone does something wrong, if someone commits a terrorist act, no stone will be left unturned to give them a befitting reply. This is a warning to anyone who looks.' Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that so far, 517 Indian nationals have returned to India from Iran under Operation Sindhu. In a post on X, Jaiswal stated, 'Operation Sindhu continues. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on 21st June, bringing Indians from Iran home. With this, so far 517 Indian nationals from Iran have returned home under Operation Sindhu.' The first batch of 110 Indian students, including 90 from Kashmir, was safely evacuated from northern Iran and transported to Armenia before being flown to New Delhi. These students were primarily from Urmia Medical University. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) coordinated the evacuation, setting up emergency helplines and a 24x7 control room to assist Indian citizens in Iran. The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, thanked the governments of Iran and Armenia for their cooperation. The rescued students expressed deep gratitude to the Narendra Modi-led government and Indian embassies in Iran and Armenia for their swift and safe evacuation. Goyal's remarks comes right after participating in the program organised to celebrate 11th International Yoga Day, highlighting how Yoga has reached so many corners of the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yoga has reached every home, every city of the world. India has become an engine of development to take the whole world to new heights. Today, the whole world is looking towards Prime Minister Modi and India... I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the 11th International Yoga Day,' Goyal said. Earlier today, a fresh batch of Indian nationals landed safely in Delhi after taking off from Iran under Operation Sindhu as part of the Centre's ongoing efforts to bring back its citizens from conflict-hit regions. The Indian Embassy in Tehran coordinated the safe movement of students, while the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ensured their safe return. An Indian national who was evacuated from Iran, Zaffar Abbas Naqvi, recounted how he and his family stayed indoors initially after hearing about the attack on Iran. They later moved to Mashhad, which also came under attack, prompting them to contact the Indian government. Naqvi praised the swift action taken by the government and thanked Prime Minister Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath for their support. (ANI)

India Gazette

24 minutes ago

• India Gazette

Over one lakh join Yoga Day celebrations in Kurukshetra, says BJP MP Naveen Jindal

Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India], June 21 (ANI): BJP MP Naveen Jindal led the 11th International Day of Yoga 2025 celebrations on the holy land of Kurukshetra on Friday, where over one lakh people gathered in an atmosphere filled with energy and enthusiasm. Speaking to reporters, BJP MP Jindal said, 'Today, on the holy land of Kurukshetra, we have celebrated International Yoga Day and spread the message of yoga. Today, one lakh people participated in this program. You can see how much enthusiasm there is in the entire atmosphere here. Everyone enjoyed yoga.' Earlier today, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, and others performed yoga in Kurukshetra under the guidance of Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev during the yoga day. Saini said that the state government has introduced a five-minute break in all offices to reduce stress and boost energy at work. Speaking to the reporters, Nayab Singh Saini said, 'To reduce stress, we have announced a five-minute break in every office so that we can work again with new energy and strength... Everyone will implement this in the private sector as well.' He also said that efforts are being made to make Haryana free from drug abuse through cyclothons, marathons, and incentives for villages that stay drug-free. 'Whether it is a cyclothon or a marathon against drug abuse, we have made many panchayats drug-free. We also encourage sarpanches to make their villages and wards drug-free and give them incentives. Today, on the occasion of Yoga Day, we said 'Yoga Yukt aur Nasha Mukt' Haryana,' Saini said. Yoga Guru Ramdev said that yoga has become a mass movement and should be a part of everyone's daily life. He said Prime Minister Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047 is based on the foundation of yoga and urged people to practice yoga every day for at least 10 to 20 minutes. 'Yog has become a mass movement. It has become a mass movement. Prime Minister's vision of making India a developed country by 2047, its basis, its foundation, is yoga. I would appeal to everyone to pledge to do yoga on June 21 and every day for at least 10-20 minutes. Yoga should become a way of our life,' Ramdev Baba said. The 11th International Day of Yoga saw widespread participation across states. The theme for this year is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' which echoes India's vision of global wellness and reflects the integrated vision of well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of 'Sarve Santu Niramaya' (May all be free from disease). (ANI)

India Gazette

24 minutes ago

• India Gazette

International Yoga Day: Army conducts Yoga session at world's highest battlefield

Leh (Ladakh) [India], June 21 (ANI): On the occasion of International Yoga Day, the Indian Army organised a Yoga session at the world's highest battlefield, Siachen, in which multiple soldiers, veterans, families, and children also participated. Highlighting the theme of 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' in a post on X, the Army wrote, 'On the 11th International Day of Yoga IDY 2025, Indian Army conducted Yoga sessions from the world's highest battlefield Siachen to all the terrains & climatic conditions through the expanse of the country. IDY2025 witnessed enthusiastic participation from Serving Soldiers, Veterans, Families, Children & Civilians embracing 'Yoga as a Way of Life'.' Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also participated in the 11th International Yoga Day with with 2,500 personnel at Army's Northern Command in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur, describing Yoga is a vital instrument for inner strength and composure, commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for globalising its reach, and emphasised its relevance in enhancing clarity and discipline--especially during operations like Operation Sindoor, according to the Defence Ministry. The Defence Minister also highlighted that Yoga is not merely a wellness activity, but a strategic discipline that strengthens both body and mind. Earlier, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) performed yoga on the banks of Pangong Tso at Border Outposts (BOPs) Dhan Singh Thapa and Chartse, located at 14,100-14,200 feet above sea level. The 54th Battalion of ITBP performed yoga in the lead up to International Yoga Day. Sharing the visuals on X, ITBP wrote, '54 Bn #ITBP organised a yoga session as a prelude to International Yoga Day 2025. Himveers participated with zeal, reinforcing the spirit of wellness and discipline.' 4th Corps of ITBP, Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh) organised yoga sessions at an altitude above 12000 feet. Sharing on X, ITBP wrote, '4th Corps #ITBP, Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh) organised yoga sessions and cleanliness drives at the Corps Headquarters and forward posts at altitudes above 12000 feet.' The Indian Coast Guard officials united at Visakhapatnam to celebrate International Yoga Day, and the CG Ship Rani Abbakka practised yoga on Tamil Nadu's sacred shores. The Indian Navy too participated in the Yoga Day celebrations organised by PM Modi in Vishakapatnam. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister was joined by Union Minister of State (IC) Ayush, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in a massive demonstration of India's global wellness vision. The Prime Minister called upon countries to adopt yoga not just as a personal or cultural practice, but as a unifying force for humanity. 'I would like to take this opportunity to urge the global community on this important occasion to let this International Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity. Let this be the day when inner peace becomes a global policy, where yoga is embraced not just as a personal practice, but as a powerful tool for global partnership and unity,' PM Modi said. The event was held along the scenic Visakhapatnam coastline, with Indian Navy ships stationed near the shore, adding to the grandeur of the celebration. PM Modi was joined by lakhs of yoga enthusiasts, residents, and dignitaries from Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)