In a major humanitarian relief operation, a special Mahan Air flight (W50071A) carrying 311 Indian nationals, primarily students stranded in conflict-ridden Iran, landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Sunday.
The successful evacuation marked the culmination of days of intense coordination, diplomacy, and emotional distress, especially for families in Jammu and Kashmir, who had been desperately awaiting the safe return of their loved ones.
The flight arrived at 16:30 hours on June 22, bringing home students and other Indian nationals caught in the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The region has seen a dramatic surge in hostilities, with the United States launching airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, plunging parts of the country into a state of high alert and endangering civilians, including foreign nationals.
Of the total evacuees, more than 200 were students from Kashmir, many of whom were pursuing higher education in medical and technical institutions in Mashhad and Qom.
With air raid sirens becoming a routine reality and daily life grinding to a halt in parts of Iran, these young Indians found themselves in the middle of an escalating geopolitical storm, unable to return home until this carefully coordinated mission was executed.
The safe repatriation of the students was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who posted the update on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to protecting its citizens abroad during times of crisis.
“#OperationSindhu continues. 311 Indian nationals arrived in New Delhi on a special flight from Mashhad at 1630 hrs on 22nd June. A total of 1428 Indian nationals have now been evacuated from Iran,” Jaiswal wrote, sharing photographs of relieved passengers, many of whom were seen hugging their families and expressing deep gratitude.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association issued a formal statement, expressing heartfelt appreciation to the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in Tehran for their prompt, efficient, and compassionate intervention.
“These young students, who spent days in a warzone marked by fear, uncertainty, and anxiety, have now returned to the safety of their homeland and the warmth of their families. Their resilience and courage during this critical period are commendable,” the Association noted.
It also applauded the swift diplomatic coordination between Indian and Iranian authorities that made the evacuation possible despite the worsening situation. The Association acknowledged the Indian Embassy’s round-the-clock assistance, crisis helplines, and real-time support that provided much-needed assurance to both students and their families.
This evacuation is part of Operation Sindhu, a continuing effort launched by the Indian government to bring back citizens stranded in conflict zones. With the regional security scenario growing more complex and volatile by the day, the operation has so far successfully evacuated 1,428 Indian nationals from Iran, including tourists, workers, and pilgrims.
Back home, scenes of relief and emotional reunions unfolded at the Delhi airport, where family members—many of whom had traveled from remote corners of Jammu and Kashmir—broke down in tears upon seeing their children and relatives step out of the terminal, safe and unharmed.
The MEA has reiterated its commitment to closely monitoring the situation in the region and to facilitating further evacuations if necessary. Helplines remain active at the Indian Embassy in Tehran, and contingency plans are being continuously reviewed in coordination with partner agencies.
This large-scale and high-risk repatriation once again underscores India’s proactive diplomatic outreach and the government’s unwavering resolve to protect Indian lives across the globe, even in the most hostile environments.