India launches Operation Sindhu, evacuates first batch of 110 Indian students from conflict-hit Iran

Of these 110 students, 90 hail from Kashmir, media reports said.

The first group of evacuees from Urmia Medical University had safely crossed into Armenia and boarded the New Delhi flight, the MEA said.

"The students have travelled by road to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, under the supervision of our Missions in Iran and Armenia. These students departed Yerevan on a special flight at 1455 hrs on 18th June 2025 and will arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of 19th June 2025 as part of the initial stages of Operation Sindhu," the MEA said in a statement.

"India accords highest priority to the safety and security of Indian nationals abroad. As part of the ongoing operation, the Indian Embassy in Iran has been assisting large numbers of Indian nationals in moving from areas seeing increased hostilities to relatively safer areas within the country and to subsequently evacuate them using the available and feasible options," it said.

The government advised Indian nationals in Iran to stay in touch with the Embassy in Tehran through its emergency helpline and with the 24x7 Control Room established by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association (JKSA) in a statement thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the timely evacuation effort.

The JKSA said it remains hopeful that all remaining students will be evacuated soon.

All flight tickets, including the Delhi to Srinagar leg, have been arranged at no cost by the Union government, the students' body said in a post on X.

"We deeply appreciate this effort to ensure a smooth, full journey home," it said.

Emergency Helpline numbers of Embassy of India in Tehran:

i. For call only : +98 9128109115, +98 9128109109
ii. For WhatsApp: +98 901044557, +98 9015993320, +91 8086871709
iii. ⁠Bandar Abbas: +98 9177699036
iv. Zahedan: +98 9396356649
v. Email- [email protected]
Helpline numbers of 24 X 7 Control Room set-up by Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi:
800118797 (Toll free) , +91-11-23012113 , +91-11-23014104, +91-11-23017905
WhatsApp: +91-9968291988 ; Email- [email protected]