J&K Students Association thanks PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar for safe repatriation of 1,200 Kashmiri students from war-torn Iran

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar for their effective intervention in ensuring the safe evacuation and repatriation of around 1,200 Kashmiri students stranded in war-torn Iran.

In a statement, the Association said the students were caught in an extremely volatile and life-threatening situation amid a full-fledged war, with escalating hostilities, military operations, and missile strikes across multiple regions of Iran. The deteriorating security environment had placed Indian students in grave danger, triggering panic and distress. Many were living in constant fear, while their families back home in Kashmir remained deeply anxious and repeatedly appealed for their safe return.

National Convenor of Association Nasir Khuehami stated that almost all 1,200 Kashmiri students who were stranded have now safely returned to India and reached their native places with the prompt assistance of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He said the swift, decisive, and compassionate response of the Government of India ensured a well-coordinated and structured evacuation despite complex logistical and diplomatic challenges.

He noted that the war had led to widespread chaos, with students in different parts of Iran constantly hearing explosions and reports of strikes, leaving them frightened and in deep distress. Their families, gripped by fear and uncertainty, remained in continuous contact with the Association, urging immediate intervention.

JKSA highlighted that students were initially relocated to relatively safer zones, including Qom. From there, they were evacuated in phases through designated land routes via Armenia and Azerbaijan after necessary land and air transit permissions were secured through sustained diplomatic engagement.

Khuehami said that, The students were subsequently facilitated onward travel through international transit hubs such as Dubai and Moscow before being brought back to India via Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. They were provided temporary accommodation, including hotel and hostel facilities, along with all necessary logistical and administrative support during transit. The evacuation was carried out in a phased and systematic manner through commercial flights.

The Association underlined that the success of the operation was made possible through sustained and continuous engagement with the Government of India over the past two months. It remained in regular contact with senior officials, including the External Affairs Minister, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, PAI Division of the MEA, and other key authorities, facilitating real-time information sharing and coordinating closely with affected students and their families.

“The Ministry paid close attention to the concerns of Kashmiri students and ensured their evacuation on priority. We express our sincere gratitude to the External Affairs Minister for treating the safety of students as a top priority and responding with urgency and sensitivity,” he said.

Appreciating the scale and precision of the operation, JKSA termed the evacuation a “benchmark in humanitarian response and crisis management,” reflecting India’s unwavering commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of its citizens abroad. It added that the efforts undertaken by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in Tehran were truly exemplary and praiseworthy.

The Association expressed immense relief that all students have safely returned and reunited with their families, describing the operation as a powerful testament to responsive governance and effective diplomacy in times of crisis. It added that the MEA’s timely intervention not only ensured the safe return of the students but also reassured countless families across the region.