From Iran to Safety: A Kashmiri Student’s Haunting Account of a Missile Strike in the Middle East

Kashmir Students Return Home Amid Turmoil

A group of students arrived in Kashmir after being evacuated from Iran, where they were caught in a dangerous situation due to ongoing Israeli strikes. Their relief was palpable as families reunited, having lived in fear for days.

These students, attending Urmia Medical Science University in West Azerbaijan, faced an arduous journey. Families had reached out to the Indian government for help, prompting the evacuation under Operation Sindhu. The students traveled for four days, crossing into Armenia before boarding a flight back home.

Over 3,000 Kashmiri students study in Iranian medical colleges, drawn by low fees and cultural ties. In Srinagar, fourth-year MBBS student Saba Rasool felt immense joy at reuniting with her parents, but she described the conditions in Iran as “very bad.”

“There were no phone calls or internet. ATMs were empty, and shops were closed,” she shared. Saba witnessed the chaos firsthand, with drone strikes damaging nearby locations. At one point, a strike felt alarmingly close to her dormitory.

Despite the fear, Saba and her friends initially hesitated to leave. “I wanted to help the injured Iranian people,” she said. However, the Indian embassy urged them to return for their safety.

The evacuation was quick. The group crossed the Armenian border in eight hours, and spent just one night in the capital, Yerevan, thanks to swift arrangements by the embassy. They then headed back to India with only a brief layover in Doha.

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, confirmed that more evacuations are underway. He mentioned that the government has prepared additional flights and established 24-hour lines for evacuation requests.

Meanwhile, some students faced challenges getting back to Srinagar. Saba had to book her own flight, citing inadequate transportation options. “I needed to be home,” she said, eager to see her family after such a tense time.

Her father, Ghulam Rasool Sofi, expressed his relief. “I haven’t slept since the attacks began. Now, I can finally breathe easy.”

This situation reflects a growing trend where nations are pushed to act quickly during crises that impact their citizens abroad. The emotional toll on families during such events highlights the urgent need for efficient communication and support systems during emergencies.

For more insights on international student safety, check reports from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

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