In a significant development under Operation Sindhu, a special evacuation flight carrying 272 Indian nationals and three Nepalese citizens landed safely at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5:31 AM IST on Wednesday. The operation, initiated by the Government of India in response to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, has now successfully brought home a total of 3,426 Indian nationals from the region.
The latest flight originated from the Iranian city of Mashhad, one of the designated evacuation hubs under the operation. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this marks one of the final flights under the mission following the ceasefire agreement reached between Iran and Israel on Tuesday.
Just a day earlier, another special flight had carried 296 Indian nationals and four Nepalese citizens to safety, further underscoring India’s commitment to evacuating not just its own citizens but also extending support to nationals of neighboring countries caught in the crossfire.
Nepalese Nationals Express Gratitude
Several Nepalese evacuees took the opportunity to thank the Indian government for its support. Gayatri Thapa, who had been living in Iran for the past 10 years, described the situation in Iran as extremely distressing. “The conditions had become very dangerous. I’m grateful to the Indian Government for all the help and arrangements. It feels good to be back in a safe place,” she said after landing in New Delhi.
Utsav Thapa, another Nepalese citizen and a long-time student at the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan under the Indian Embassy in Iran, also shared his relief and gratitude. “I have been in Iran for the last nine years. As the situation worsened, we were scared. But the Indian Embassy stepped in and made arrangements for our evacuation. I’m thankful to India for bringing us out safely.”
Indian Citizens Recall Harrowing Experiences
Indian nationals also shared their emotional journeys and praised the coordinated efforts of Indian authorities. Syed Abbas, a resident of Ghazipur, said, “The entire evacuation was carried out with great care. The Embassy first moved us to Mashhad and was present with us throughout. I am thankful to our country and to the Embassy staff for their tireless support. I’m really happy to be back home.”
A Complex Operation Amid Tensions
Operation Sindhu was launched in early June as tensions flared between Iran and Israel, prompting widespread concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in the region. With the conflict escalating rapidly and affecting key areas where Indian expatriates and students were located, the Indian government mobilized a coordinated response involving diplomatic channels, the Indian Air Force, and civil aviation partners.
Evacuees were transported from different cities across Iran to centralized departure points such as Mashhad, where the Indian Embassy provided food, shelter, medical assistance, and documentation services ahead of each flight.
Government Reaffirms Commitment
The MEA, in its official statement, reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. “Through Operation Sindhu, we have ensured the safe and swift return of thousands of Indians from a highly volatile situation. Our missions in Iran worked around the clock in coordination with Iranian authorities and international partners to make this possible,” the statement read.
With the successful conclusion of the operation following the ceasefire, officials emphasized that while the situation is stabilizing, contingency plans remain in place should further assistance be required.
Operation Sindhu now stands as one of India’s most effective emergency evacuation missions, highlighting the country’s ability to protect its citizens and collaborate with international partners during global crises.
