Operation Sindhu: 3,170 Indians evacuated from war-struck Iran so far
By Sharmistha Shivhare
As tensions escalated in West Asia following missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, the Indian government launched Operation Sindhu last week to safely evacuate Indian nationals caught in the crossfire. So far, a total of 3,170 Indians have been brought back home, with the most recent flight arriving from Mashhad, Iran, at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday.
Passengers disembarking from the flight described the operation as smooth and well-managed, crediting Indian embassy officials for their on-ground support.
Several evacuees noted that they were moved from their homes to secure hotels, provided with meals, and continuously assisted by embassy staff.
Wafiya Batoon, a student of Islamic studies, said that 'everything from accommodation to travel was taken care of, with no logistical or administrative issues.'
Abbasi Zehra, who had travelled to Iran for a religious pilgrimage with her family, noted that the cooperation between Iranian authorities and Indian officials was evident throughout the evacuation. 'We stayed two days in the hotel under embassy arrangements, and on the third day, we were flown back safely,' she said.
Another evacuee, Shehenshah Haider, a Persian language student at Al Mustafa International University, shared how the war disrupted his original travel plans. 'My flight scheduled for the 17th was cancelled. But the Indian embassy contacted me directly. They arranged for my transport from Isfahan to Mashhad and ensured I was safe and well taken care of,' he said.
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