Students Back From Iran Flag Poor Bus Condition, Omar Abdullah Responds

Indian students studying in Iran have thanked the Indian government for evacuating them from the conflict-torn country, but expressed displeasure over the buses that the Jammu and Kashmir government provided to them to travel back home from Delhi.

The office of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it has "taken note" of the request of the students and is coordinating with the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation to ensure "proper deluxe buses" for them.

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, transited via Armenia and Doha, and boarded a flight to Delhi last evening.

"It was a difficult journey for us. There were a lot of attacks, mostly in Tehran," Ali, a student who landed in Delhi, told NDTV.

He said a missile landed near their bus when they were travelling. "We were very scared," he said.

He also thanked the Indian embassy for facilitating their safe return.

"They (the Indian embassy officials) first helped us cross the land border to Armenia, where we stayed for a day. Then we came to Delhi," he said.

Shaikh Afsa, a resident of Kashmir, said they are “tired” and it would be “difficult” for them to travel back to their homes in a bus.

She said that the buses that they have been provided were not in a "stable condition", and that she has requested Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to make alternate arrangements.

Another student said they want the Israel-Iran conflict to end, as their studies are also getting affected.

"We have our practical classes and we need to return as soon as possible," she said.

More than 4,000 Indian nationals are living in Iran, and half of them are students.

Israel-Iran Conflict

The Israel-Iran conflict began when the Israeli military launched "Operation Rising Lion" last Friday and attacked Iranian cities. It said it had concluded Tehran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon.

More than 250 people, including over 220 in Iran, have been killed in cross-border strikes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Wednesday said they began the campaign to remove two existential threats to Israel - the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat.

"We are advancing step by step to remove these threats," he said in a video message.

He also said that the Israeli military now "controls the skies over Tehran".

"We are striking the Ayatollahs' regime with great force. We are attacking nuclear installations, missiles, command centres and the symbols of the regime," Mr Netanyahu added.

Trending News