Latest news with #OperationSindhu
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran makes an exception, opens airspace to facilitate evacuation of 1,000 Indian students
In a rare exception amid ongoing conflict with Israel, Iran opened its airspace for India to help evacuate around 1,000 Indian students. Most international flights remain barred from Iranian airspace due to missile and drone exchanges. Under Operation Sindhu, India has begun evacuating its nationals. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In a rare move, Iran on Friday opened its airspace for India to facilitate the evacuation of around 1,000 students, making an exception amid the ongoing conflict with Iranian airspace remains shut to most international flights following ongoing missile exchanges and drone attacks involving Israeli and Iranian has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from Iran. As part of the mission, the Indian Embassy facilitated the evacuation of 110 Indian students from northern Iran, who crossed into Armenia on June 17 by road. The students then boarded a special flight from Yerevan on June 18 and are expected to arrive in New Delhi early Saturday morning. This marks the first phase of the operation.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
NDA set to secure massive victory in Bihar, says Chhattisgarh Dy CM
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao on Friday exuded confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will return to power in Bihar with a resounding majority in the upcoming Assembly elections. Speaking to IANS, Arun Sao said, 'The direction in which Bihar is progressing today is a testament to the transformative leadership of the NDA. Under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar has seen a dramatic shift in both development and governance. Those who once looted and ruined the state are now anxious and nervous because the people are choosing progress over propaganda.' He further lauded the Centre's proactive foreign policy and rapid response in times of global crises. 'Whether it was the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, or the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, the Modi-led government has consistently safeguarded Indian citizens abroad. "The 'Operation Sindhu', aimed at evacuating Indians from Iran, is already underway, demonstrating the government's commitment to every Indian, whether at home or overseas,' Sao added. Meanwhile, political turbulence continues in the Mahagathbandhan camp. With Assembly polls scheduled for October–November, internal strife over seat-sharing has begun to surface. The alliance, comprising the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Left parties, appears fractured over key issues like candidates and the choice of a chief ministerial face. The Congress has refrained from publicly endorsing RJD scion Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance's CM candidate, fueling speculation of a deeper rift. Adding further political momentum, PM Modi is on a two-day tour of Bihar, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh on June 20–21. He is expected to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects in Siwan, followed by a public address. As the election drumbeats grow louder, Bihar is poised for a high-stakes political battle, with both the NDA and the Opposition sharpening their strategies for a decisive contest.
News18
2 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
What Is Operation Sindhu? Why Was It Launched? Top Queries Demystified Amid Israel-Iran War
Last Updated: Unlike Operation Sindoor, Operation Sindhu is not a military strike. It is non-combatant and evacuation-focused. Months after Operation Sindoor, the government of India has launched Operation Sindhu. The similar sounding names have led to confusion among some people. While Operation Sindoor was in retaliation to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Operation Sindhu has been initiated amid the Iran-Israel conflict. What's The Difference Between Operation Sindoor & Operation Sindhu Unlike Operation Sindoor, Operation Sindhu is not a military strike. It is non-combatant and evacuation-focused. Sindhu was launched on June 18 to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran amid rising fears of an all-out Israeli-American military strikes on Iran. What Was The Need For Operation Sindhu? The operation was initiated following the June 13 Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, a significant escalation in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, which heightened safety concerns for foreigners in Iran. Facing growing instability, the government launched this mission to quickly evacuate citizens before the situation escalated further. Who are being evacuated as part of the mission? Indian students, professionals, seafarers, pilgrims and others located in Iran's conflict zones. The first group of 110 Indian students was moved overland to Armenia, then flown to New Delhi on Wednesday. They landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday. Among them, 90 are from Jammu and Kashmir. Flights have been planned, possibly via Turkmenistan, to evacuate more Indians. Meanwhile, the MEA control rooms are operating round-the-clock for people in distress. Why Was Operation Named 'Sindhu?' While there has been no official word on the reason, historically Sindhu is known as a river. In Sanskrit, 'Sindhu' literally means 'river' or 'ocean'. It's also the name of Indus river, one of the major rivers in the Indian subcontinent. Another historical significance is that India is said to derieve its name from Sindhu. The Persians pronounced 'Sindhu' as Hindu, which eventually became India in Greek and Latin usage. The operation's title likely symbolizes a large journey — representing India's commitment to crossing borders for the safety of its citizens. Execution Strategy Of Operation Sindhu Evacuation Routes & Transport The primary route is the overland escorted travel from northern Iran (e.g., Urmia) into Armenia, then onward by chartered flights from Yerevan to New Delhi. An arrangement has been made for alternate corridors too, which includes transit through Turkmenistan, leveraging commercial or special flights. Who Are Involved In Evacuation Mission? The Indian Air Force and commercial carriers like IndiGo are involved in flying back Indian citizens from Iran. There are Ministry of External Affairs-led 24×7 embassy helplines and crisis-control centers. The government has been coordinating with Armenian, Iranian, and Turkmen authorities for safe passage of Indian residents. First Published: June 19, 2025, 13:20 IST
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Saw missiles, heard bombs in neighbourhood: Indian students
New Delhi: 'We saw missiles in the sky and heard bombs in our neighbourhood... We were petrified', said MBBS student Mir Khalif, his voice still trembling with fear, as he stepped out of the Delhi airport after being evacuated from war-hit Iran under Operation Sindhu. Khalif arrived in the national capital early Thursday in the first evacuation flight carrying 110 Indian students as part of the special operation launched by the Indian government in response to the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. The students, including 90 from Jammu and Kashmir, were moved from Tehran to Armenia earlier this week as explosions and aerial attacks rocked Iranian cities. The rescue was coordinated by the Indian Embassy. Khalif described the experience in Iran as a nightmare and thanked the Indian government for evacuating them first to Armenia and then bringing them back home. 'We saw missiles and heard bombings. It was a war zone. Our building shook during the attacks. I hope no student has to face what we did,' he said. 'There are students still stuck in Iran. They are being relocated to safer places. We hope they will also be airlifted to India soon,' he added. Varta, a student from Kashmir, recalled the fear she lived through. 'We were the first ones to be evacuated from Iran. The situation was quite critical. We were terrified. We thank the Indian government and the Indian Embassy, which worked very fast and swiftly to bring us here. 'Our neighbourhood was attacked. When the Indian government came to our doorstep, it felt like home,' she told PTI Videos. Ali Akbar, a student from Delhi, said the destruction was visible everywhere. 'We saw a missile and a drone fall from the sky while travelling in a bus. Tehran is in ruins. The images on the news are real, the situation is very bad,' he said. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reached the Delhi airport to receive the students. Meanwhile, at the Delhi airport, several parents waited anxiously to reunite with their children.
News18
5 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
India Begins Evacuation Process Of Citizens From Israel, Embassy Coordinating For Visas, Transit
Last Updated: India has launched the evacuation of its nationals from Israel, and is coordinating logistics, while registration and visa processes are underway. The Indian Embassy in Israel has begun the process for the evacuation of Indian citizens from the country, amid its ongoing conflict with Iran. According to the details, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv is coordinating border crossings, operational timings, and the process to obtain visas. Meanwhile, the registration process for those to be evacuated has already begun. It was also known that the visas for those to be evacuated were also demanded by the authorities in Jordan, to facilitate exit from the borders of the country. Further, electronic visas have also been applied for, however, the further process may face delays because of the weekend closures at government offices. The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv would be making arrangements for the evacuation of the Indians. 'All Indian nationals are requested to register themselves with the Embassy of India in Tel Aviv at ( if not already registered," it said. The MEA said that India has decided to evacuate its nationals from Israel who wish to leave in view of the unfolding security situation in that country over the ongoing conflict with Iran. New Delhi's decision to evacuate its citizens came hours after an Iranian missile struck a hospital in the Beersheba area of Israel. 'In view of the recent developments between Israel and Iran, the government of India has decided to evacuate from Israel those Indian nationals who wish to leave," the MEA said. 'Their travel from Israel to India will be facilitated through the land borders and thereafter by air to India," it said. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv reiterated its earlier advisories urging all Indian citizens in Israel to remain vigilant and strictly follow the safety guidelines issued by Israeli authorities. 'The embassy (in Israel) remains continuously in touch with the community with a view to extending all feasible assistance," it said. On Wednesday, India announced launching 'Operation Sindhu' to evacuate its nationals from Iran after the Persian Gulf nation's conflict with Israel showed no sign of letting up. 'The government of India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad," the MEA said. It said the government will continue to monitor the situation closely. First Published: June 20, 2025, 12:15 IST
