"Faced So Much": J&K Students Evacuated From Iran On Journey Back To India
Over 100 Indian nationals, including 90 students from Jammu and Kashmir, returned to India early Thursday morning from Iran, following a successful evacuation under Operation Sindhu.
The students, who had been stuck amid the escalating tensions in Iran, were first flown to Armenia, then to Doha, before landing in Delhi. Their safe return was a moment of relief for their families across the country.
However, what was expected to be the final leg of their journey turned into an unexpected ordeal. After arriving in Delhi, many of the students voiced their displeasure over the condition of the buses arranged to transport them home to Jammu and Kashmir.
The students described the buses as being in poor condition, unfit for travel, and unworthy of the long journey they had just endured.
"We've faced so much during the evacuation, but the buses provided for the last part of our journey were in such bad condition that even animals wouldn't travel in them," one student was quoted as saying. "We were thankful for the evacuation, but this final stretch was not what we expected after everything."
The students, who had been waiting at the Delhi airport for hours, were finally offered a Volvo bus around 1 PM, after waiting for over 8 hours. Despite the delays, the students expressed gratitude for the safe evacuation but felt disappointed with the last-minute arrangements.
In response to their complaints, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to social media, acknowledging the concerns raised by the students. A post shared by the Chief Minister's Office assured that proper deluxe buses would now be arranged to transport the students home.
"The Chief Minister has taken note of the request of the students evacuated from Iran regarding the quality of buses arranged to transport them from Delhi to J\&K. The Resident Commissioner has been instructed to coordinate with Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) to ensure that suitable deluxe buses are arranged," the statement read.
The students, many of whom had been in Iran for their studies, praised the central government's efforts in ensuring their safe evacuation amidst the ongoing conflict. However, they hope the final leg of their journey home will reflect the care and attention that they received during their evacuation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
NE natives in Israel on tenterhooks as Iran rains missiles
G uwahati: As tensions rise between Israel and Iran, people of Assam and the northeast residing in Israel are contemplating returning to India if the conflict escalates further. On Thursday, the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv reached out to its nationals, including those from Assam and the northeast, to gauge their interest in evacuation flights from Jordan and Egypt. Preetam Regon, a researcher at the Volcani Institute in Rishon LeZion, said, "The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has started sending emails to Indian citizens to know if we are interested to leave Israel. We believe if the war continues to escalate, many Indians will leave." Rishon LeZion near Tel Aviv has seen numerous missile strikes from Iran. While daily life continues with supermarkets and public transport operating at reduced capacity, the targeting of schools and hospitals has heightened anxiety among residents like Preetam. His family in Jonai, Assam, has left the decision to return in his hands. "Shelter to protect ourselves is there in the institute or the place where we are staying. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch xu hướng AUD/USD? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Nevertheless, I may decide to return home if my supervisor allows. At this moment, no one knows to what extent this war will go," Preetam said. He recounted a close call with a missile landing just a kilometer away, despite Israel's efforts to intercept such threats. Preetam added that some of his friends in Jerusalem might also opt to return soon. Bikram Basnet, employed as a caregiver with a local family in Jerusalem, said while missile strikes were taking place at some distance on Thursday morning, significant tremors could be felt in the nearby areas. "It is far bigger than the attack of Hamas. Even as missiles are intercepted in the sky, glass widows and household utensils shake and walls vibrate," said Bikram, who hails from the Kalapahar area in Manipur's Kangpokpi district. Bikram said he is in contact with the Indian Embassy and does not intend to leave Israel immediately. However, he added that the inclination to leave is likely to be stronger among students, researchers, and construction workers due to disruptions in their work and studies. "There are many caregivers like us from India. We work indoors and that's why we are in comparatively safer zones. But the construction workers can not work during war time and students and researchers too are facing frequent closure of their institutions. So, they might return," he added. The Indian Embassy has assured its nationals that once they confirm their intent to leave, details about flights and transport will be provided. The MHA is organizing chartered flights from Jordan and Egypt to facilitate the return of those wishing to leave Israel. The embassy will coordinate transport from Tel Aviv to the borders and onward to the airports. As of now, there have been no reports of Indian nationals from Assam returning from Iran. However, state officials are closely monitoring the situation and the MEA's evacuation plans.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
17 minutes ago
- First Post
Not only US, Pakistan reached out to Saudis too when India launched Operation Sindoor, reveals Ishaq Dar
Dar said Saudi Prince Faisal bin Salman personally inquired whether he could convey Pakistan's willingness to halt hostilities to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, revealing that Riyadh was involved in behind-the-scenes diplomacy read more Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that Islamabad reached out not only to US but also Saudi Arabia in a bid to de-escalate tensions after India's airstrikes under Operation Sindoor. Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar' openly admits 2 things in this interview 📍India struck the Nir Khan Air base and Shorkot Air base 📍 Ishaq Dar' says Saudi Prince Faisal called him asking "Am I authorised to talk to Jaishankar also and CONVEY ..and you are READY TO TALK"… — OsintTV 📺 (@OsintTV) June 19, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking to Geo News, Dar said Saudi Prince Faisal bin Salman personally inquired whether he could convey Pakistan's willingness to halt hostilities to Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, revealing that Riyadh was involved in behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Dar also confirmed that India's precision strikes targeted key Pakistani military installations, including the Nur Khan and Shorkot airbases just as Pakistan was preparing to launch retaliatory strikes, a disclosure that sharply contradicts Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's earlier claims of a triumphant operation. 'Saudi Prince Faisal bin Salman called and asked if he could tell Jaishankar that Pakistan is ready to stop,' Geo News quoted Dar as saying. Dar's candid acknowledgment contradicts earlier official statements by the Pakistani leadership, which had emphasised that Pakistan delivered a decisive blow to India during Operation Sindoor. In reality, Dar's comments, along with PM Sharif's own recent statements, suggest that Pakistan was caught off guard by India's rapid and targeted military action. Just days after the strikes, Pakistan's military — under the command of Army Chief General Asim Munir — was reportedly reeling from the impact of India's surprise offensive, which disrupted planned counterattacks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD General Munir, who has since been promoted to Field Marshal, described India's actions as an attempt to impose a 'new normal' — referring to its cross-border precision strikes on terror-linked facilities across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 'India attempted to establish a 'new normal' — a dangerous precedent of crossing international borders at will,' Dawn quoted General Munir as saying at a gathering of overseas Pakistanis in Washington. Adding to the shift in narrative, PM Sharif recently admitted that India had launched BrahMos missile strikes targeting multiple locations, including Rawalpindi airport. 'India again launched missile attacks, BrahMos, and hit Pakistan's various provinces, including airport in Rawalpindi and other places,' said Sharif. He added that Pakistan's planned counterstrike for 4:30 am on May 10 was preempted by India's offensive on the night of May 9-10, catching the military off guard. Together, these acknowledgments present a sharp shift from Islamabad's earlier boasts, revealing instead a defensive scramble against India's 'new normal.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. With inputs from agencies
India.com
18 minutes ago
- India.com
Israel-Iran war: Israel dials India after air defenses decimated by Iranian missiles; Netanyahu seeking PM Modi's help to...?
(File) Israel-Iran war: Israel's much-hyped air defense systems, including its famous Iron Dome, are rapidly depleting due to the relentless barrage of drones and ballistic missiles launched by Iran in retaliatory strikes since June 13, and now the Jewish nation is turning towards its allies to replenish its dwindling military resources, especially interceptor missile batteries. Israeli DG dials Indian Defense Secretary According to Indian Defense Ministry, a top officer of the Israeli Defense Ministry had a phone conversation with India's Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and while the details of this conversation remain classified, its being speculated that Israel is likely seeking to procure armaments from India to replenish its arsenal as the Israel-Iran war rages on. As per details, Major General (Retd) Amir Baram, who currently serves as the Director General of Israel's Defense Ministry, called the Indian Defense Secretary, and apprised him about the ongoing situation in the Israel-Iran war. The phone conversation between India and Israel comes at a time when Israel's air defenses have significantly depleted due to relentless missile attacks from Iran, and the country is also facing a critical shortage of ammunition as the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are fighting on multiple fronts, including their long campaign in Gaza. India's Defense Secretary is responsible for the import and export of the country's weapons and ammunition. Israel running out of interceptors Meanwhile, defense experts believe Israel is running out of interceptors to intercept short-range missiles, and at the current rate, its ability to intercept and neutralize short-range ballistic missiles (SRMs) could last for around 10-12 days at best. Additionally, it only has a few Arrow 3 missiles left in its arsenal, which are used to intercept long-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles. It is being speculated that Israel wants to procure ammunition or air defense system from India, especially India's homegrown IACCS and Akashteer systems, which shot down every drone and missile fired by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Israel-India relations India and Israel share long-standing defense ties, with the Jewish state aiding New Delhi with military equipment when called upon. During last month's India-Pakistan conflict, Indian armed forces used Israeli-made Harop and Harpy drones to target terrorists infrastructure and radar systems deep inside Pakistan, and India Air Force (IAF) deployed Israel's Rampage missiles in its air-to-ground onslaught against the enemy nation. Israel-Iran war The Israel-Iran war erupted on June 13 when Israel unleashed a wave of pre-dawn air strikes on Iranian cities, including capital Tehran, under Operation Rising Lion, in which several top Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami, commander Ghulam-Ali Rashid, nuclear scientist Dr. Mohammad Tehranchi, nuclear scientist Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi and Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Hours later, Iran, under Operation True Promise III, responded with a barrage of missiles and drones that struck several Israeli cities and major population centers, including Tel Aviv. Both sides have launched devastating strikes on each other, causing significant damage to infrastructure and loss of civilian lives, even as world powers and global agencies, including the United Nations, have urged the two bitter enemies to exercise utmost restraint. According to various media reports, more than 240 people, including about top Iranian military officers and nuclear scientists, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, while Iranian missile attacks have resulted in the deaths of more than 28 Israelis.
