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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Operation Sindhu: 2 more flights with evacuated Indian students from Iran to land tonight; government steps up rescue efforts
Boarding of the evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. India has stepped up efforts in bringing back its citizens under Operation Sindhu from conflict ridden Middle East with back and forth attaks between Israel and Iran enterng Day 8. A day after flight carrying 110 Indians landed in Delhi, two more evacuation flights have been scheduled to arrive in India on Friday night. The first aircraft will touch down in Delhi at approximately 11:30 pm from Mashad, whilst the second flight from Ashgabat is expected to land in Delhi at about 3 am on Saturday. Whilst Indian embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv are facilitating evacuations, many individuals dispersed across religious centres and universities face uncertain and dangerous circumstances regarding their return. Ten students from Bulandshahr's Sakhni village in UP have been unreachable since the recent missile strikes in Iran. Among them is 22-year-old Sadaf Zehra, a third-year MBBS student at Tehran University. Her father, Zia-ul-Hassan, said, "She said she was fine, then her phone went off. The next day she called and said the university had moved them to a safer location three hours away." Azhar Abbas, another student, survived a missile strike that claimed five of his classmates. "We spoke to him in a video call three days ago," said his uncle, Muzammil Abbas. "Since then, there has been no contact." Abbasi Beghum, 60, experienced dangerous blood pressure levels upon hearing about the attacks. "I lost my husband three years ago. I worked hard to send my son abroad." Across UP, numerous families face similar situations. Several pilgrims from Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Meerut were stranded in Iran, including 28 pilgrims from Lucknow, amongst them 83-year-old Kaneez Haider. The group had departed for Iraq on May 27 and entered Iran on June 9, planning to visit Karbala, Mashhad, Tehran, Nishapur and Kashan. Many had initially completed Haj, concluding with Eid on Monday, before proceeding to Iran - a typical route for Shia pilgrims visiting religious shrines. Tour operator Aqeel Jafar Rizvi of Mehndi Tours and Travels reported over 1,000 pilgrims from Lucknow in Iran, many experiencing financial difficulties and limited medicine access. Families in Kithaur's Isapur area of Meerut confirmed 11 additional pilgrims, including families with children, remain stranded.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Scores of Indians stranded in Iran, Israel; anxiety stalks kin
Scores of Indian nationals - including students, pilgrims, researchers, caregivers and workers - remain stranded in Iran and Israel amid escalating military conflict between the two countries. Indian embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv are coordinating evacuations, but for many scattered across religious centres and universities, return remains uncertain and fraught with risk. Ten students from Bulandshahr's Sakhni village in UP have been difficult to reach since missiles hit Iran earlier this week. Among them is 22-year-old Sadaf Zehra, a 3rd-year MBBS student at Tehran University. Her father, Zia-ul-Hassan, said, "She said she was fine, then her phone went off. The next day she called and said the university had moved them to a safer location three hours away." Azhar Abbas, another student, narrowly escaped a missile strike that killed five of his classmates. "We spoke to him in a video call three days ago," said his uncle, Muzammil Abbas. "Since then, there has been no contact." Abbasi Beghum, 60, said her blood pressure rose dangerously after hearing about the attacks. "I lost my husband three years ago. I worked hard to send my son abroad." Across UP, many others are in similar situations. Several pilgrims from Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Meerut remain stuck in Iran. Among them are 28 pilgrims from Lucknow, including 83-year-old Kaneez Haider. Her son, Abbas Muzaffar, who travelled with her, said, "We are safe for now, but we're desperate to return. Hotels are expensive. We didn't budget for such delays" They had left for Iraq on May 27 and entered Iran on June 9. Their itinerary included visits to Karbala, Mashhad, Tehran, Nishapur and Kashan. Many had first performed Haj, which concluded with Eid on Monday, and then proceeded to Iran - a common route for Shia pilgrims visiting religious shrines. Tour operator Aqeel Jafar Rizvi of Mehndi Tours and Travels said over 1,000 pilgrims from Lucknow were in Iran, many of them now struggling with funds and limited access to medicines. Families in Kithaur's Isapur area of Meerut confirmed that 11 more pilgrims - including couples and children - remain stranded. Masoom Raza and his family were scheduled to fly back five days ago. Shia cleric Maulana Saif Abbas has written to the ministry of external affairs urging action. "These are middle-class families. They cannot manage extended stays abroad." A similar situation has unfolded in Haridwar's Manglaur area, where 36 residents - including students, pilgrims and long-term workers - remain stuck in Iran. MLA Qazi Nizamuddin wrote to the PMO and state govt seeking help. "They are now trapped in a conflict zone and need immediate assistance," he said. Uttarakhand DGP Deepam Seth said police across all 13 districts are verifying such cases. "Many of them were on long-term visas for over a decade." Israeli tourists currently in the state are also being contacted through Chabad Houses and local channels. Relatives in Deganga's Dhalipara area in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas have lost contact with 11 pilgrims who travelled to Iran on May 30 and were scheduled to return on June 18. Their last calls came on June 17. Salma Bibi, wife of Akram Hossain, broke down: "I just want my husband back." Hossain Mehdi, son of Sahid Ali, said the families had contacted local officials but were now waiting for action from the ministry of external affairs. Silence has also set in around three students from Swarupnagar and Basirhat. Imran Hossain and Muskan Khatun, both Persian postgraduates at the University of Isfahan, haven't been reachable since Sunday. "We are in complete darkness," said Imran's mother, Rehena Khatun. In Astara, a northern Iranian town near the Azerbaijan border, Kolkata professor Falguni Dey is preparing to move toward Armenia. He fled Tehran, applied to enter Azerbaijan, and after three days of silence, filed for an Armenian e-visa. "I have no cash. The border is 450km away but I can't wait here," he said. Dey described nights spent in mosque lobbies and surviving on rice mixed with cold drink. "A hotel allowed me to use their WiFi. " Across the border, Indian citizens in Israel are also facing uncertainty. Researcher Preetam Regon from Assam, based at the Volcani Institute near Tel Aviv, said, "Missiles landed a kilometre away. The embassy asked if we want to leave. Some are ready." Evacuation efforts are ongoing. Indian missions in Tehran and Tel Aviv are moving citizens to Armenia, Jordan and Egypt. The ministry of home affairs is organising chartered return flights.
