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Operation Sindhu: India Airlifts 3,000 Citizens from War-Hit Iran & Israel

June 24, 2025, 5:55 pm

India has evacuated nearly 3,000 of its nationals from Iran and Israel as part of Operation Sindhu, a massive evacuation exercise started last week with rising tensions in West Asia. The Indian Air Force (IAF) employed C-17 heavy transport planes and chartered aircraft to transport Indians stranded in war-torn areas through neighboring nations.

Evacuation From Israel Through Jordan and Egypt

More than 600 Indians who had been evacuated from Israel to Egypt and Jordan by road were evacuated by India by Tuesday morning under Operation Sindhu. The initial batch of 161 Indians who crossed into Jordan was brought to New Delhi at 8:20 am on a chartered flight from Amman. They were welcomed by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed on social media.

The Indian Air Force flew back another 165 Indians from Jordan to New Delhi in a C-17 aircraft, which landed at 8:45 am. Minister of State L Murugan received them at the airport.

Officials added that the Indian Air Force evacuated another group of nearly 300 Indians from Sharm-el-Sheikh after they entered Egypt through the Taba land border.

Flights out of Jordan were delayed as regional nations closed airspace in response to Iran’s late Monday missile attacks.

Evacuation Operations Out of Iran Ongoing

Indians evacuating out of Iran also went on unabated Tuesday, with 292 nationals evacuated from Mashhad to New Delhi at 3:30 am on a chartered plane. India has thus evacuated 2,295 nationals out of Iran since last week.

India had previously instructed its citizens in Israel to go to Jordan or Egypt by road for evacuation. In Iran, the trip started by road to Armenia and then flights from Mashhad once Iranian authorities opened airspace restrictions as a gesture of goodwill.

As per the Indian embassy in Tehran, all 10,000 Indians in Iran, such as students and pilgrims, would be evacuated. Israel itself has over 32,000 Indians, who are primarily caregivers and construction workers.

India Delays First Evacuation Flight from Israel Amid US-Iran Strikes

June 22, 2025, 10:25 am

India faces tough choices after it postponed its first evacuation flight from Israel. The US has bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities, disrupting Operation Sindhu. India had already sent back four evacuation flights from Iran. It was going to bring out students in Israel shortly.

Now, that operation is on hold. This postponement underlines additional risks associated with US intervention. The Indian government now deals with a fast-changing crisis.

Operation Sindhu Under Way

India commenced Operation Sindhu on June 18 to evacuate citizens from Iran and Israel in the Middle East conflict. Four flights so far have returned hundreds of Indian students from Iran. The first took 110 students through Armenia to Delhi on June 19. 827 Indians have so far returned home as of June 21.

India also evacuated Nepalese and Sri Lankans under the same operation. Several more are still in Iran—about 1,100 have requested evacuation assistance.

US Strike Throws Evacuation into Disarray

On June 22, the US bombed Iran’s Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities with bunker-buster bombs to impede nuclear development. The bombing created international shock and made India delay its first evacuation flight from Israel.

India previously declared that it would start evacuating Israelis from Israel this week. But the US action caused it to stop. Authorities now evaluate if it’s safe to continue. The delay creates unease among Indian workers and students in Israel.

National Safety Remains Top Priority

The MEA has renewed its pledge for citizen security. It advised Indian citizens in Israel to utilize embassy helplines and register online. Delhi also keeps its Operation Sindhu initiative running in Iran. Additional flights are to be sent to evacuees from Turkmenistan through Ashgabat. The government is working in liaison with Iran to arrange safe passage as well as to open airspace.

This abrupt US military intervention complicates the situation. India has to balance evacuation planning with geopolitical considerations. The US strikes may heighten Iran-Israel tensions. Escalation will raise danger to Indian citizens in the region. The delay highlights how conflicts overseas can spill over into evacuation schedules.

Way Forward for India

India now has a delicate operation on its hands. Authorities need to keep a close eye on local developments. They need unambiguous security analyses before rearranging the Israel evacuation.

Meanwhile, they have to maintain the pace in Iran—and keep assisting stranded citizens. Delays are devastating for students and families. Clear and prompt communication will be crucial. India needs to hedge between prudence and determination. In doing this, it has to make sure that no citizen gets left behind as diplomatic storms rage across the Middle East.

290 Indian Students Evacuated from Iran Under Operation Sindhu

June 21, 2025, 9:10 am

A group of 290 Indian students safely landed in New Delhi after Iran temporarily opened its airspace to allow their evacuation as part of India’s Operation Sindhu. This humanitarian gesture was made specifically for Indian students caught in the growing conflict in West Asia, with Iran cooperating closely with Indian authorities to ensure their return.

Students Moved from Tehran to Mashhad for Safety

Most of the evacuated students were from Jammu and Kashmir. As the situation worsened in Tehran due to increased Israeli airstrikes, they were first shifted to Mashhad, a safer city, before being flown home. The evacuation flight on Friday night was operated by Iran’s Mahan Air.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association expressed its gratitude in an official statement, “Heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely intervention and support. A great relief for families who had been anxiously awaiting their return.”

More Flights Planned to Bring Students Home

This was the first of three flights arranged jointly by India and Iran to evacuate Indian students from the conflict zone. According to Javed Hosseini, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, “We are cooperating with India in the evacuation. Indian nationals were first moved to a safer place and then assisted with onward arrangements. Three Mahaan Air flights will bring them home.” He further stated, “Airspace is closed, but a special exception has been made for Indian students.”

Evacuation Amid Ongoing Conflict

These evacuation efforts follow days of heavy fighting and aerial strikes exchanged between Iran and Israel. Before the current flight, 110 Indian nationals had already been brought back via a route passing through Armenia and Doha.

More Students Returning from Turkmenistan

Another special private flight is expected to land in India tomorrow at 3 AM, bringing back 56 Indian students from Turkmenistan, routed through Jeddah. These students belong to different states, including 47 from Uttar Pradesh, 5 from Gujarat, 3 from Delhi, and 1 from Rajasthan.

Operation Sindhu Evacuees Flag Poor Bus Issues in Delhi, Omar Abdullah Intervenes

June 19, 2025, 9:49 am

A group of 110 Indian students, evacuated from conflict-hit Iran under ‘Operation Sindhu’, expressed gratitude to the Indian government for ensuring their safe return. However, the students criticized the poor condition of the buses arranged by the Jammu and Kashmir government for their journey home from Delhi.

The students, all enrolled at Urmia Medical University in Iran, arrived in New Delhi early Thursday morning after a challenging evacuation route that included stops in Armenia and Doha. India coordinated the evacuation as part of its effort to rescue nationals amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.

Ali, one of the students, described the danger they faced. “It was a difficult journey for us. There were a lot of attacks, mostly in Tehran,” he told NDTV. “We were very scared,” he added, recalling how a missile landed near their bus during the trip.

Ali thanked the Indian embassy for their timely support. “They (the Indian embassy officials) first helped us cross the land border to Armenia, where we stayed for a day. Then we came to Delhi,” he said.

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… pic.twitter.com/8WJom7wh5f

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 18, 2025

Complaints Over Bus Conditions Spark Response from J&K Government

While the students expressed relief at being back in India in Operation Sindhu, many voiced dissatisfaction with the transport arrangements made for their return to Jammu and Kashmir.

Shaikh Afsa, a student from Kashmir, said, “We are tired and it would be difficult for us to travel back to our homes in a bus.” She added that the buses provided were not in a “stable condition” and requested Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to make alternate arrangements.

The Chief Minister has taken note of the request of the students evacuated from Iran regarding the quality of buses arranged to transport them from Delhi to J&K. The Resident Commissioner has been tasked with coordinating with the JKRTC to ensure proper deluxe buses are arranged.

— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) June 19, 2025

Another student echoed her concerns and stressed the urgency of returning to Iran once the situation stabilizes. “We have our practical classes and we need to return as soon as possible,” she said.

The office of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the issue and issued a statement. “We have taken note of the request of the students and are coordinating with the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation to ensure proper deluxe buses for them,” the statement said.

Escalating Conflict Between Israel and Iran Affects Students

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has disrupted academic life for many Indian students in the region. The crisis began when the Israeli military launched “Operation Rising Lion” last Friday, targeting key Iranian cities based on intelligence that Iran was nearing nuclear weapons capability.

More than 250 people have died in cross-border attacks, including over 220 fatalities in Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strikes in a late-night video message.

Referring to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, Netanyahu said, “We are advancing step by step to remove these threats.” “We are striking the Ayatollahs’ regime with great force. We are attacking nuclear installations, missiles, command centres and the symbols of the regime,” he declared. Netanyahu also claimed that Israeli forces now “control the skies over Tehran.”

With over 4,000 Indian nationals, including thousands of students, residing in Iran, the Indian government continues to monitor the situation closely as tensions escalate across the region.

Operation Sindhu: 100 Indian Students Escape War-Torn Iran, Land Safely In Delhi

June 19, 2025, 6:46 am

The first flight carrying 110 Indian students from conflict-torn Iran landed in New Delhi early Thursday, marking a significant step in India’s evacuation efforts under ‘Operation Sindhu.’ The students were initially moved from Tehran to Armenia by the Indian Embassy amid intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Emotional Reunions and Pleas for Help

At the airport, emotional scenes unfolded as anxious families reunited with their children. Haider Ali, father of 21-year-old MBBS student Maaz Haider, expressed relief but remained concerned. “We are happy the students have come back safely, but others are still in danger,” he said.

Parvez Alam from Bulandshahr, whose son studies in Urmia, shared the stress his family endured. “The situation turned serious recently. We thank the Indian government—they moved the students to Armenia and ensured their safety,” he told PTI.

Students Share Harrowing Experiences

The returning students recounted chilling moments of survival. “Missiles flew over us. Our neighbourhood was bombed. It felt like war,” said Mir Khalif, a medical student who returned on the flight.

Ali Akbar from Delhi recalled a terrifying incident on their way out: “We saw a missile and a drone crash. Tehran has been devastated. The news coverage is accurate, it’s really bad.”

Evacuation Efforts Ongoing

The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for initiating the rescue. “We remain hopeful that all remaining students will be evacuated soon,” the association said in a statement.

Officials confirmed that relocation of remaining students to safer locations is underway, with more evacuation flights expected soon.