New Delhi: Indian students currently studying in Iran have urged the Indian government to arrange their evacuation in the wake of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, including areas close to Tehran.
Tabiya Zahra, a second-year MBBS student from Kashmir enrolled at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), described the situation as tense but currently under control. “Right now the situation is calm and we are safe, but we are feeling scared. The attack started at around 3:30 am and we felt the land shake. It was a concerning experience,” she told PTI.
According to Zahra, university officials have visited students and advised them to stay composed, but offered no specific guidance regarding safe zones. She appealed to the Indian government to facilitate their evacuation, citing limited access to communication due to internet disruptions and the uncertain security environment.
Alisha Rizvi, another second-year MBBS student from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, said the Indian Embassy in Tehran has begun gathering student data. “The embassy asked us to email our local addresses and contact details for emergency purposes,” she said. “They are trying to collect data in case evacuation is needed.”
Both Zahra and Rizvi travelled to Tehran in 2023 for their 5.5-year medical programme. They confirmed that following the Israeli strikes, flights from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport have been suspended and the airspace over the capital has been shut.
The Israeli offensive, launched late Thursday, targeted Iran’s nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, radar installations, and surface-to-air missile sites. Explosions were reported across Tehran and parts of western Iran, with black smoke observed in several locations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated the strikes were intended to disable Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
In retaliation, Iran launched a swarm of drones aimed at Israel. Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have warned of a “severe punishment” in response to the strikes.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting urgent support for Indian students, especially those from Jammu and Kashmir. National convenor Nasir Khuehami said, “We are receiving calls from the students and their families, requesting assistance. We urge the government to stay prepared and take necessary steps if evacuation becomes unavoidable.”
The Association also requested better communication from the Indian Embassy and a detailed contingency plan.
