Ziraat Times Team Report
SRINAGAR: With the Iran-Israel conflict escalating dramatically, anxiety has deepened in Jammu & Kashmir over the safety of around 1,300 Kashmiri students stranded in Iran. Friday night strikes in Tehran, which reportedly hit multiple sites and caused tremors near universities, have intensified concerns, especially among the families of over 600 women students pursuing studies in Iranian cities like Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad.
Air connectivity has already been disrupted as civilian airports have been impacted, including Tehran International Airport, and multiple Gulf airlines have suspended flights in the region. Amid fears of a full-scale conflict and worsening security conditions, voices across political, religious, and student circles have called for an urgent evacuation plan.
CM Omar Abdullah, Shia leaders, and student bodies call for urgent action
Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, in a strongly worded appeal, urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to act swiftly.
“Requesting @MEAIndia to urgently ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiri students currently stuck in Iran. Their families are deeply worried, and we stand with them in this difficult time. Every step must be taken to safeguard our students,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Prominent Shia cleric and politician Imran Reza Ansari also appealed for immediate intervention:
“Getting numerous distress calls from Kashmiri students in Iran amid the escalating conflict. I urge @DrSJaishankar to kindly announce an urgent evacuation plan. These young citizens are our top priority & their families back home are in deep despair.”
Student testimonies reveal the ground reality. Ishfaq Sayed, a Kashmiri student in Tehran, posted:
“Over 200 Kashmiri students studying in 15 universities across Tehran are living in fear after reported Israeli strikes and ongoing tension. Parents urge the Indian government to take immediate steps for their safe return.”
Evacuation proposals being floated
There are growing demands for the Government of India to coordinate with Iranian authorities and identify alternative evacuation routes, including:
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Sea evacuation via the Persian Gulf;
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Land transit through third countries like Iraq, Turkey, or Oman;
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Or special evacuation flights through coordinated diplomatic corridors.
The J&K Students Association has formally written to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, seeking urgent measures.
“J&K Students Association writes to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, seeks urgent evacuation of Kashmiri students amid Iran-Israel escalation,” the group posted on X.
The Friday night airstrikes in Tehran marked a new flashpoint. Multiple blasts were heard across the capital, and tremors were reportedly felt near student hostels and university campuses, especially in the southern and central parts of the city.
“This is no longer a diplomatic standoff. It’s a real threat to civilian life. We’re terrified,” said a female student from Qom via phone, requesting anonymity.
As of now, no official evacuation advisory or statement has been issued by the Ministry of External Affairs regarding Indian nationals in Iran. Families and political leaders are urging the central government to issue a public advisory, set up a dedicated helpline, and prepare evacuation logistics before the situation worsens further.
India has a track record of carrying out successful evacuations from war zones, including Yemen and Ukraine. Concerned voices are now urging the government to act with similar urgency.
“India has always stood up for its people in times of crisis. We must do so now too,” student bodies and family groups have reiterated in joint appeals.
