New Delhi: A fresh wave of relief and patriotism swept through Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport as another batch of Indian nationals evacuated from Iran landed safely on Saturday under the government’s ongoing Operation Sindhu, a large-scale mission to rescue citizens from escalating tensions in West Asia.
This latest flight brought back over 290 Indian nationals, including students, professionals, and religious pilgrims, who had been stranded amid the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel. The rescue was made possible through coordinated efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Tehran, with support from various state governments.
Among the returnees was Zaffar Abbas Naqvi, who, along with his family, had initially taken shelter in their home before relocating to Mashhad, only to find that the city too had come under threat. “We were scared and unsure. But once we contacted the Indian Embassy, everything moved incredibly fast. We felt like the government truly stood with us,” Naqvi said. He extended his heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for ensuring the timely rescue.
Another evacuee, Kulsum, described the atmosphere in Iran as “deeply unsettling,” adding, “We were worried every minute. But seeing the Indian flag on that rescue flight brought immense comfort. Being back home is like a second life.”
The chartered flight, which touched down at 11:30 PM on Friday, was received by Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs) Arun Chatterjee, who praised the seamless coordination between agencies. The arrival was marked by emotional scenes, as returnees chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Hindustan Zindabad”, with many breaking down in tears as they reunited with loved ones.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X, confirmed the evacuation and reiterated the government’s commitment to the safety of every Indian abroad: “Operation Sindhu flight brings citizens home. Evacuated 290 Indian nationals from Iran, including students and religious pilgrims, by a charter flight. The flight arrived in New Delhi at 2330 hrs on 20 June and was received by Secretary (CPV & OIA) Arun Chatterjee.”
