India’s First Evacuation Flight from Iran to Land in Delhi Early Thursday Under Operation Sindhu

New Delhi, June 18, 2025 — India’s first evacuation flight under Operation Sindhu is set to land in New Delhi early Thursday, bringing home 110 Indian students stranded amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Nearly 90 of those evacuated belong to Jammu and Kashmir, where families have been anxiously awaiting their return.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the students had safely crossed over from Iran into Armenia earlier this week. They were then airlifted from Yerevan around 3 PM local time on Wednesday, with the special evacuation flight expected to arrive in Delhi shortly after midnight.

This operation comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following continued Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities and Iran’s refusal to engage in truce talks. The worsening situation prompted Indian missions in Tehran and Yerevan to coordinate a swift evacuation response, prioritizing student safety.

Officials said that more evacuation efforts are underway as thousands of Indian nationals, including students, workers, and pilgrims, remain in various parts of Iran. The Indian embassy in Tehran has issued fresh advisories urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel and stay in contact through official emergency channels.

According to reports, this evacuation marks one of the most complex in recent years, with embassy officials escorting students from Tehran to safer zones before arranging their overland travel to Armenia.

The arrival of the students tonight will bring relief to many families, especially in Kashmir, where the majority of the returnees are from. The government has reiterated its commitment to the safety of all Indian nationals in the region and is expected to announce additional flights in the coming days.