More than 70 Indian students, primarily from Jammu and Kashmir, stranded in Iran amid the ongoing conflict, are returning safely to India after a coordinated evacuation effort, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) announced on Saturday.
The students are travelling on Flydubai Flight FZ8124, which departed Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia, carrying over 70 Indian students along with other pilgrims. The majority are studying at universities in Iran, including Urmia University of Medical Sciences and Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
The first leg of their journey left Yerevan at 13:25 local time on March 14 and is expected to arrive in Dubai at 17:00, from where the passengers will transfer to Flydubai Flight FZ441. This connecting flight is scheduled to depart at 05:05 (Dubai time) and arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at approximately 9:55 AM IST on Sunday.
Prior to boarding the flight, the students travelled by bus from various Iranian cities to Armenia, undertaking a long land route. The Indian Embassy in Tehran had earlier relocated the students to safer locations within Iran. Additionally, another group of stranded students in Kerman has been moved to the relatively safer city of Qom as a precaution.
JKSA national convenor Nasir Khuehami stated that the association has been working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi, and Indian missions in Tehran and Yerevan to obtain land-transit permits and airline seats. The evacuation route through Armenia was arranged following requests from the students.
Khuehami added that the issue was brought to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri last week, after which the necessary travel permissions were granted. The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian students remaining in Iran to avoid sharing their exact locations or personal details on social media to ensure their safety amid the volatile situation.