New Delhi-  A special chartered flight carrying 290 Indian nationals, primarily students stranded in Iran due to escalating regional tensions, landed safely at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi late on Friday, June 20. The evacuation was conducted as part of the Indian government’s Operation Sindhu, a large-scale effort to repatriate citizens from conflict-hit areas.

The passengers were airlifted from the Iranian city of Mashhad aboard a Mahan Air flight. Most of the evacuees were from Jammu and Kashmir, with others hailing from Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, West Bengal, and various other states. Many had initially been relocated from Tehran to safer cities such as Qom and Mashhad, as fighting intensified in parts of Iran linked to the broader Middle East conflict.

This is one of three evacuation flights planned under Operation Sindhu. Two additional repatriation flights, including one from Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, are scheduled to arrive later on Saturday, June 21. The operation aims to bring back approximately 1,000 Indian nationals who were caught in the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Iran.

Earlier this week, a group of 110 Indian students had been moved overland across the Iran-Armenia border and flown to Delhi from Armenia in a separate evacuation effort. The Indian embassy in Tehran and local Indian associations played key roles in coordinating the logistics of the evacuations.

Upon arrival in Delhi, several students expressed relief and gratitude to the Indian government. Tazkiya Fatima, a medical student from Noida, said the evacuation process was handled smoothly despite the uncertainty they faced in Iran. Another evacuee, Eliya Batool, noted that the arrangements in Iran included accommodation in five-star hotels and continuous support from the authorities.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, which worked closely with officials on the ground, thanked the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian embassy for their swift action. The association had earlier confirmed that about 190 students from the region were part of the latest flight.

With nearly 10,000 Indian nationals still residing in Iran, primarily students and professionals, the Indian government is actively monitoring the situation. Additional flights may be scheduled depending on the evolving circumstances and diplomatic coordination with neighboring countries to facilitate safe exits through land and air routes.

Operation Sindhu underscores India’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad, especially in regions experiencing conflict. The government has urged Indian nationals in Iran to stay in contact with the embassy and follow official advisories closely.