1200 Kashmiri students among 10,000 Indians in Iran

Srinagar, Mar 1: An estimated 9000 to 10,000 Indian nationals, including 1200 Kashmiri students, may still be stranded in Iran as escalated bombing leads to heightened fears back home.

Urgent calls for evacuation by families, student bodies, and political leaders echoed on Sunday.

A student from Srinagar, studying in Tehran University said that they are clueless about the evacuation efforts.

ìWe have been calling the embassy but they have not given any clear answer till date,î she said.

The female students pursuing MBBS said the intense bombing in Tehran created panic among students.

ìWe have been unable to sleep for many nights. The situation is not feasible for us to move out at all. We are stuck in hostels,î she said.

In many cities of Iran, communication continued to remain affected.

Families of the students have expressed deep anxiety after losing touch with their children for days.

Many said their children were unable to leave because of crucial examinations scheduled in early March.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran had repeatedly over the past week advised all Indian nationals to leave Iran ìby all available meansî.

However, with the worsening of situation and disruption of air traffic in Middle East, more Indian nationals, including students in UAE and other countries have now been stranded.

Civil aviation authorities have issued safety advisories for air travel in the wider Middle East and Persian Gulf.

Authorities in UAW have issued emergency alerts and advisories as Iranian strikes were reported from many cities.

Residents, as per reports, have been receiving messaged from government authorities.

They have been directed to remain calm and vigilant of the situation.

Meanwhile Indian nationals in Iran, including estimated 1200 Kashmiri students have pinned their hopes on an evacuation operation on the same pattern as Operation Sindhu to bring them home.

In February, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that around 9000 to 10,000 Indian nationals that includes students, workers, pilgrims, tourists, business persons, and seafarers are in 16 provinces in Iran.

He said this in response to a starred question asked by Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Ray. Ray had asked whether the Government of India had assessed the impact of the political unrest in Iran on Indians residing there.

He had also inquired  regarding repatriation plans for Indian nationals in Iran.