Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 17: The J&K Students Association (JKSA) today said that over three dozen Kashmiri students have safely returned to India from Iran at their own expense.
The Association said the students travelled on two commercial flights operating from Iran.
One group, it said, travelled via a connecting flight from Shiraz to Sharjah and onward to Delhi, while another flight operated directly from Tehran to Delhi.
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“Officials of the Indian Embassy in Tehran facilitated the students’ movement to the airports and ensured their safety and security throughout the process,” the Association said.
National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said all students travelled at their own expense, and a significant number of pilgrims were also on board the two flights.
“The students have reached India safely and have since returned to their native places. Many more students are expected to arrive from today onwards, as they have booked commercial flights,” he said.
Khuehami said officials at the Indian Embassy in Tehran have informed the JKSA that the Government of India’s formal evacuation operations are still on hold.
“The Embassy is in direct contact with the students and will personally inform them through official channels if evacuation becomes necessary,” he added.
He said the JKSA is maintaining constant communication and coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Tehran, which are closely coordinating with the Iranian authorities.
Khuehami added that all students who remain in Iran are safe, secure and stable, and that the situation on the ground is gradually stabilising.
He further noted that family members expressed relief and appreciation to the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassy officials upon the students’ arrival.
“The families conveyed their trust in the Government of India and the MEA, and expressed gratitude for the timely efforts taken to ensure the safety of their children during a difficult period,” Khuehami said.
