Operation Sindhu: Another 280 Indians Evacuated from Iran on Special Flight

Over 280 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-hit Iran returned home safely on Sunday, as part of a special evacuation under Operation Sindhu. The Mahan Air flight (W50071A) landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, carrying mostly students and pilgrims who had been caught in the middle of the growing hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Among the passengers were more than 200 students from Jammu and Kashmir, along with several pilgrims who had travelled to Iran for religious visits. Many disembarked holding Indian flags, visibly emotional and relieved to be back on home soil.

"We were terrified. There were sirens, and the fear of being hit in an attack was always there," said one returning student from Srinagar. "We are so thankful to the Indian government for bringing us back safely."

The evacuees praised the quick response and smooth coordination of the rescue mission. Some shared emotional stories of living through tense days as the conflict escalated around them.

After Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier this week, India began Operation Sindhu to repatriate its citizens from Iran. Concern for the safety of hundreds of Indian nationals in the area grew as tensions and the danger to people increased.

This was the fourth evacuation flight under the operation. On Friday, two Mahan Air flights brought back around 1,000 Indian students, including 500 from Kashmir. Another flight landed on Saturday, bringing more people to safety.

Officials said the government is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to carry out more evacuations if needed.