Flight carrying 110 Indians lands in New Delhi, CM assures transportation facilities for Kashmiris

June 19, 2025 by News Desk

As tensions continue to escalate between Iran and Israel, India has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from the conflict-hit region.

The first rescue flight under the mission, carrying 110 Indian students, landed safely in New Delhi early Thursday morning.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed that 94 of the students on board were from Jammu and Kashmir. He said the government is arranging transportation for their onward journey from Delhi. “94 of our students evacuated from Iran have safely reached Delhi. The Government is making transport arrangements to ensure their smooth journey home, which will be in place within the next few hours,” he posted on X.

The Chief Minister also noted that the Resident Commissioner has been asked to coordinate with JKRTC to ensure proper deluxe buses are arranged after students expressed concern over the quality of buses.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the students had been living in Tehran and were moved out of the city for their safety. They crossed into Armenia under the supervision of Indian missions in Iran and Armenia and flew out from Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan at 14:55 IST on June 18. The flight reached New Delhi in the early hours of June 19.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the operation in a statement on X, saying, “Operation Sindhu begins. India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran.

India evacuated 110 students from northern Iran who crossed into Armenia under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia on 17th June. They departed from Yerevan on a special flight and will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of 19th June 2025. India accords the highest priority to the safety and security of her nationals abroad.”

The Ministry expressed appreciation to the governments of Iran and Armenia for their support in facilitating the evacuation. It also stated that the Indian Embassy in Tehran continues to assist Indian nationals in relocating from conflict-affected areas within Iran to safer regions, while exploring options for further evacuations.

Authorities have urged Indian nationals still in Iran to remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran or the 24×7 Control Room of the MEA in New Delhi. Additional phases of Operation Sindhu are expected to continue in the coming days depending on the situation on the ground.