New Delhi: A fresh batch of Indian nationals evacuated from conflict-hit Iran landed safely in New Delhi on Saturday, as part of India’s ongoing Operation Sindhu.
The evacuation, coordinated by the Indian Embassy in Tehran and facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has been praised for its swift response in bringing citizens home amid rising tensions in the region.
Among the evacuees was Zaffar Abbas Naqvi, who recounted the ordeal he and his family faced following attacks on Iranian cities. “Everything was going fine, but one day we heard that Iran had been attacked. We stayed indoors for some time and then moved to Mashhad. Soon Mashhad also came under attack. We then contacted the Indian government,” Naqvi said. “The action was so swift that we cannot express our gratitude in words. I want to thank Modi ji and Yogi ji who made all the arrangements for us.”
Another evacuee, Kulsum, expressed relief at being back home. “The situation in Iran is not good. We were very worried. The government helped us a lot and brought us back home safely,” she told ANI.
Mohammad Ali Qazim, who returned from Mashhad, also lauded the government’s efforts. “We had gone on a religious journey. The situation there is not good, especially in Tehran. The Indian government helped us a lot in crossing the border and bringing us to India. The UP government is also helping us a lot by taking us back home,” he said.
The operation has brought immense relief to families across India, with coordinated efforts by both the central and state governments ensuring the safety of citizens caught in the crossfire of the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
Late Friday night, chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Hindustan Zindabad” echoed through Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport as another special flight under Operation Sindhu brought back 290 Indian nationals, including students and religious pilgrims.
The chartered flight landed at 11:30 p.m. IST and was received by Secretary (CPV & OIA) Arun Kumar Chatterjee. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, formerly Twitter, “Operation Sindhu flight brings citizens home. Evacuated 290 Indian nationals from Iran, including students and religious pilgrims, by a charter flight. The flight arrived in New Delhi at 2330 hrs on 20 June and was received by Secretary (CPV & OIA) Arun Chatterjee.”
He added, “The Government of India is grateful to the Government of Iran for the facilitation of the evacuation process.”
Operation Sindhu continues to remain a lifeline for hundreds of Indian citizens amid geopolitical unrest, with further evacuations expected in the coming days.
