Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir — As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate in Iran, the first group of Indian students—predominantly from Jammu and Kashmir—has finally been evacuated. A group of 110 students, including 90 from Jammu and Kashmir, reached New Delhi on Thursday afternoon. However, over 700 students, many of them Kashmiris, remain stranded in Mashhad, awaiting evacuation.
A Long and Exhausting Journey
These students were moved through multiple Iranian cities and later transited via Armenia before landing in New Delhi. Speaking to media outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport, a female student said:
“We didn’t face any problems; everything was pre-planned and well-managed by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the embassies.”
The group consisted primarily of students enrolled at Urmia University, who were among the first to be evacuated from the conflict-hit region.
From Delhi to Srinagar: Anger Over Poor Travel Arrangements
However, once in Delhi, the students expressed disappointment over the travel arrangements made by the Jammu and Kashmir government for their journey back home.
“We have been traveling non-stop for three days under extreme stress, and now we’re supposed to travel in these rickety buses?” one student remarked.
Several students urged that they should be airlifted to Srinagar instead of being sent by road.
Quick Response from J&K Government
Soon after the concerns surfaced, the Chief Minister’s Office responded, announcing that deluxe buses would be arranged for transportation from Delhi to Kashmir.
“The CM has taken note of the requests made by the students. The Resident Commissioner has been directed to coordinate with JKRTC and ensure proper deluxe buses are arranged,” the official statement read.
700+ Students Still in Mashhad Awaiting Evacuation
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, a student currently in Mashhad said that around 700 students had gathered there. Indian embassy officials had informed them they would be moved to Turkmenistan on Friday.
“More students are still arriving in Mashhad every day,” he added.
From Turkmenistan, students are expected to be flown to New Delhi, while some groups may be evacuated via Qatar depending on documentation and logistics.
Documentation Delays and Communication Blackout
A few student groups were reportedly turned back at the last moment due to incomplete travel documents.
“One group left in the morning but had to return because of missing paperwork,” a student told Greater Kashmir.
According to media reports, Kashmiri students faced significant issues related to documentation during the evacuation process, highlighting a broader and persistent problem — the lack of internationally recognized travel documents for people from Jammu and Kashmir.
This situation underscores how, despite being part of a conflict zone, Kashmiris often encounter additional bureaucratic and diplomatic hurdles, especially during international crises. Many students reportedly had to delay their exit from Iran due to missing or incomplete paperwork, a problem that may not have been as severe if they held more universally accepted passports or documentation.
These challenges not only impacted their ability to leave a conflict zone safely and swiftly but also reflect the global mobility restrictions Kashmiris often face, particularly in regions where geopolitical tensions intersect with limited diplomatic access.
Parents Appeal for Swift Evacuation of All Kashmiri Students
Families in Kashmir have appealed to the central government to ensure the immediate and safe evacuation of all Kashmiri students still trapped in Iran before the situation deteriorates further.