Students Returning From Iran Indicate Bus Condition Is Poor; Omar Abdullah Reacts
Indian students in Iran have expressed their gratitude to the Indian government for evacuating them from the conflict-ridden country. However, they voiced dissatisfaction regarding the buses provided by the Jammu and Kashmir government for their journey home from Delhi.
Omar Abdullah’s office as Chief Minister stated that it has “taken note” of the students’ request and is working with the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation to provide them with “proper deluxe buses.”
A group of 110 students—all from Urmia Medical University in Iran—landed in Delhi early this morning under India’s ‘Operation Sindhu.’ The group was evacuated from Iran, passed through Armenia and Doha, and boarded a flight to Delhi last evening.
Our journey was a challenging one. “There were many attacks, mostly in Tehran,” Ali, a student who arrived in Delhi, told NDTV.
He mentioned that while they were travelling, a missile landed close to their bus. He stated, “We were quite frightened.”
He expressed gratitude to the Indian embassy for helping to ensure their safe return.
“Initially, they (the officials from the Indian embassy) assisted us in crossing the land border into Armenia, where we spent a day. Then we arrived in Delhi,” he said.
A Kashmiri resident, Shaikh Afsa, expressed that they are “tired” and that traveling back to their homes by bus would be “difficult.”
She mentioned that the buses they were given were not in a “stable condition” and that she has asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to arrange alternatives.
Another student expressed a desire for the Israel-Iran conflict to conclude, noting that it is affecting their studies.
She said, “We have our practical classes and need to return as soon as possible.”
Over 4,000 Indian nationals reside in Iran, with students making up half of this population
Israel-Iran Conflict
The conflict between Israel and Iran commenced with the Israeli military’s initiation of “Operation Rising Lion” last Friday, during which it targeted Iranian cities. It stated that it had determined Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon.
Cross-border strikes have resulted in the deaths of over 250 individuals, among them more than 220 in Iran.
On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that they had initiated a campaign aimed at eliminating two existential threats to Israel: the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat.
He stated in a video message, “We are progressing gradually to eliminate these threats.”
He stated that the Israeli military currently “controls the skies over Tehran” as well.
We are hitting the Ayatollah’s regime with considerable intensity. We are targeting nuclear facilities, missiles, command centers, and the regime’s symbols.” Mr. Netanyahu added.