Srinagar: In a special gesture, Iran has lifted airspace restrictions for three charter flights to evacuate about 1,000 Indian nationals, mostly students, from the Iranian city of Mashhad.
Mohammad Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy, said more evacuation flights could be operated in the coming days to bring back Indians if required.
The Indian nationals were moved to Mashad from Tehran following Israeli attacks on the Iranian capital city. The evacuation flights, to be operated by Iranian airline Mahan, are being arranged by New Delhi.
India launched Operation Sindhu on Wednesday to bring back its nationals from Iran and Israel in view of the precarious security situation arising out of Iran-Israel hostilities.
The first chartered flight carrying Indians are set to land in Delhi on Friday evening.
“We consider Indians as our own people. Iran’s airspace is closed but because of this issue, we are making arrangements to open it for the safe passage of Indian nationals,” Hosseini said at a media briefing.
“We consider Indian nationals to be our own people. They are like Iranians,” he said.
“About 1,000 Indians who were relocated from Tehran to Qom and then to Mashad will be evacuated to New Delhi on three charter flights,” Hosseini said.
“The first flight will land tonight at the New Delhi airport and there will be two more flights on Saturday,” he said.
The Iranian diplomat said more such flights could be arranged in the coming days if required.
Hosseini said Tehran is in close contact with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian embassy in Tehran to ensure safe evacuation of Indian nationals.
“We are arranging for the safe passage of Indians who want to leave via air or via road through third countries, or directly from Iran,” he said.
The Iranian diplomat also said that all Indians in Iran are safe. At the same time, he said a few Indian students sustained injuries after an Israeli air strike hit a students dormitory in Tehran a few days back.
A total of 110 Indian students were brought back to India on Thursday after they were moved from Iran to Armenia through land border crossing.
Hosseini said about 10,000 Indians are living in Iran and those wishing to return home are being evacuated.
The Israel-Iran military hostilities began over a week back.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association Friday said that three Mahan Air flights will bring Indian students back to New Delhi from Mashhad.
A total of 1,000 students will be returning on these special flights. Despite the closure of airspace, a special exception has been granted for the evacuation of Indian students. Around 500 Kashmiri students are among those returning.
Speaking about flight timings, JKSA said, “The flights are scheduled to arrive on Friday night at 11:30 PM IST, Saturday morning at 10:00 AM IST, and Saturday evening at 4:30 PM IST.” He added that, as these are special flights, the timings may be subject to change.
Regarding arrangements for travel from Delhi to Srinagar, he stated, “Transportation has been arranged. Deluxe AC buses are ready at Delhi Airport. Students will be directly ferried from Delhi Airport to TRC Srinagar.”
Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani also informed the Association that transport facilities are in place at Delhi Airport and all relevant departments have been duly informed.
JKSA further said that all students from the first batch of Kashmiri evacuees stranded in Iran have now safely reached the Kashmir Valley on Friday morning, bringing relief to their anxious families.
Iran Coordinator of Jammu and Kashmir Students Association Faizan Ali said, “While some students reached yesterday, the rest, who were travelling in deluxe buses from Delhi, have also arrived today.”
“We are grateful to the Ministry of External Affairs and all those involved in ensuring their safe and timely return. The successful evacuation marks a relief for their families back home, who were anxiously awaiting their arrival,” Faizan added.
J&K govt facilitates safe return of residents, students from Iran
The Jammu and Kashmir government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has made comprehensive arrangements to facilitate the safe return of the residents, including students, from Iran, ensuring smooth transportation to their hometowns.
The responsibility for organizing and overseeing the transit facilities has been entrusted to Minister Satish Sharma, who is keenly monitoring the entire operation, an official statement issued here said.
As the first group of students arrived back home after a long and exhausting journey from Iran, the J&K administration facilitated their travel with super deluxe buses. The returnees were warmly received at the Jammu and Srinagar locations by a team of officers and officials deputed by the Transport Department, said the statement.
It said that for different batches of these residents and students arriving at Delhi Airport, Super deluxe buses of Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) have been stationed at the arrival points to receive them. These buses, equipped with essential facilities, will ensure a comfortable and dignified journey for the returning persons to various districts across the Union Territory.
Satish Sharma directed the RTC officials to deploy an adequate number of well-maintained deluxe buses for the exclusive purpose of transporting the students, ensuring that none face any inconvenience upon arrival, said the the official statement.
The Minister also interacted with officials and students, seeking feedback about the arrangements besides assuring resolution of any immediate concern, said the statement.
