The situation of Indian students stranded in Iran, especially those from Jammu and Kashmir, has become increasingly urgent amid the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict. Here's a full update with context and implications:
India Seeks Evacuation of 10,000 Students
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India has formally requested safe passage for at least 10,000 nationals, primarily students, stranded in Iran.
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In response, Iran has offered land evacuation routes, citing its closed airspace due to ongoing Israeli air raids.
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Indian students can now exit Iran via land borders into:
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Azerbaijan
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Turkmenistan
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Afghanistan
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This land-based route is complex and risky but currently the only option until Iranian airspace reopens.
Airspace and Safety Challenges
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Iran has shut its airspace as a defensive measure while Israeli strikes have intensified.
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Attacks have hit civilian infrastructure; last night, a missile struck near the boys’ dormitory for international students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
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Two Indian students from Kashmir were injured, though both are now stable and relocated to Ramsar, a safer location.
Student Voices: Fear and Fatigue
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Students have described living in constant fear, with frequent explosions keeping them awake and sheltering in basements.
Imtisal Mohidin, a 22-year-old MBBS student from Handwara (J&K), studying at Shahid Beheshti University, told ANI:
“We’re stuck inside our apartment basement… explosions happen every night… one was just 5 km away. We haven’t slept in three days.”
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Over 350 Indian students are currently enrolled in Shahid Beheshti University alone.
Indian Government Response
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The Indian Embassy in Tehran is actively:
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Monitoring the security situation
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Facilitating relocation to safer areas within Iran
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Exploring feasible evacuation options
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Emergency contact numbers shared by the Embassy:
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+98 9128109115
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+98 9128109109
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Pressure from Political Leadership
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JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra urged External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to act urgently, posting:
"Prioritise their safety, provide comprehensive support, and ensure their swift, secure return home."
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PDP Leader Iltija Mufti advised students to reach out to the Embassy or tag local leaders and party handles on social media for faster help.
What’s Next?
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India may soon launch a land-based evacuation operation via neighboring countries, similar to Operation Ganga during the Ukraine crisis.
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The challenge lies in coordinating logistics through land borders—especially those like Afghanistan, which have their own internal risks.
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Until airspace reopens, any evacuation by air remains uncertain.
