India has successfully repatriated 517 of its citizens from Iran through Operation Sindhu, a government-led evacuation initiative responding to the deteriorating security conditions caused by the Iran-Israel conflict. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that a special flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, touched down in New Delhi in the early hours of June 21, marking the latest successful return under the operation.
Sharing the update on X (formerly Twitter), MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “Operation Sindhu continues. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on 21st June, bringing Indians from Iran home. With this, so far 517 Indian nationals from Iran have returned home under Operation Sindhu.”
This round of evacuations comes as Iran remains on edge following Israel’s targeted military campaign, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, which began on June 13 and aimed at Iranian defense and nuclear facilities. Iran’s retaliation through Operation True Promise 3 intensified regional instability, prompting India to act swiftly to safeguard its citizens abroad.
Among those brought back were Indian nationals who had been on religious pilgrimages or studying at institutions like Urmia Medical University. The Indian Embassy in Tehran played a pivotal role in coordinating safe transit across borders, while the MEA facilitated onward travel to India.
Zaffar Abbas Naqvi, who fled with his family from Mashhad, shared his experience: “Initially we stayed indoors after hearing about the attacks. But when Mashhad came under fire, we contacted Indian authorities. The support was so quick—we can’t thank Prime Minister Modi and CM Yogi enough.”
Others echoed similar relief. Kulsum, another evacuee, expressed gratitude to the Indian government, noting that the situation in Iran had become deeply concerning. Mohammad Ali Qazim, returning from Mashhad, emphasized that the Indian and Uttar Pradesh governments made arrangements smooth and stress-free: “We went on a religious trip, but the worsening situation made us nervous. The government’s help was immense.”
Earlier, a group of 110 Indian students—90 from Kashmir—were successfully evacuated from northern Iran and brought to Armenia before boarding flights to New Delhi.
As tensions between Iran and Israel stretch into the second week, Operation Sindhu continues to bring relief and safety to Indian families, reflecting the coordinated efforts between India’s central and state governments to respond to a fast-evolving international crisis.
