India Moves to Evacuate Students Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Tensions
- India initiates evacuation of students, including those from Jammu & Kashmir, amid rising Iran-Israel tensions.
- JKSA appeals to PM Modi for urgent rescue of Kashmiri students stranded in high-risk Iranian cities.
- Iran assures cooperation, keeping land borders open for safe passage as airspace remains closed.
As hostilities between Iran and Israel escalate, the Indian government has initiated efforts to evacuate Indian nationals, including hundreds of students, from high-risk zones in Iran. The move comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Indian citizens particularly students from Jammu and Kashmir who are currently stranded in areas affected by military strikes.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association (JKSA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate intervention for the evacuation of Kashmiri students pursuing medical and other professional courses in Iran. In its letter, JKSA expressed 'grave concern' over the worsening security situation, following Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and strategic infrastructure and subsequent retaliatory missile attacks by Iran.
“These students had gone to Iran to pursue professional education, especially MBBS, due to its affordable infrastructure”, JKSA stated. “Now, they are caught in an active military zone, traumatised and desperate for safety”.
The urgency of the situation was underscored by a recent drone attack near the Hujjatdost Dormitory at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, which left two Kashmiri students injured. University authorities promptly shifted them to Ramsar, a safer location, where they are reportedly in stable condition.
Students have reported scenes of panic and distress, including sirens, tremors from nearby explosions, and heightened military activity around campuses and hostels. JKSA said students in Tehran, Qom, and other volatile regions are 'hearing continuous sounds of strikes and air defence systems', contributing to widespread psychological trauma. Meanwhile, anxious families back home remain on edge.
Responding to the crisis, Tehran has assured New Delhi of its cooperation. On Monday, Iranian authorities positively responded to India’s request to facilitate the evacuation of its citizens. Though Iran's airspace remains closed due to ongoing military action, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that all land borders are open for safe passage.
"Given the current condition and the closure of the country's airports... all land borders are open for crossing", said the Iranian government in a statement, adding that they are coordinating with various diplomatic missions, including India’s, for safe evacuation of civilians.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran also issued an advisory on Saturday via its official social media channels, urging all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to remain vigilant, avoid non-essential travel, and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. Emergency contact numbers have been circulated for Indian citizens needing immediate assistance.
As the security situation continues to unfold, the Indian government’s swift diplomatic and logistical response is seen as vital to ensuring the safety and timely relocation of its nationals from the conflict zone.
