Total number of evacuees rises to 1,428 as tensions escalate following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
India’s evacuation mission, Operation Sindhu, continues to bring home Indian nationals stranded in conflict-hit Iran. On June 22, a special flight from Mashhad landed in New Delhi carrying 311 Indian citizens, pushing the total number of evacuees to 1,428 amid intensifying hostilities in the region, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the arrival of the latest batch. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, “Operation Sindhu continues. 311 Indian nationals arrived in New Delhi on a special flight from Mashhad at 16:30 hrs on 22nd June. 1428 Indian nationals have now been evacuated from Iran.”
Over 1,400 Indians evacuated from Iran as Operation Sindhu progresses; latest flight carries 200+ Kashmiri students from Mashhad
Among the evacuees, a significant number were students, especially from Jammu & Kashmir. The J&K Students Association expressed gratitude to the Indian government, noting that more than 280 Indian students—including over 200 from Kashmir—were on board the Mahan Air flight W50071A from Mashhad.
In a public message, the association stated: “We thank the Ministry of External Affairs, government authorities, and all officials engaged in the operation for their swift response and tireless coordination. Your efforts brought our students home.”
As the situation in Iran worsens following reported US airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities, the Indian government has extended its evacuation efforts to include foreign nationals. The Embassy of India in Tehran announced it will facilitate the evacuation of Sri Lankan and Nepalese citizens upon the request of their respective governments.
Operation Sindhu continues to prioritize the safety and swift return of Indian nationals and allied citizens amid the volatile geopolitical crisis in the Gulf.
