Evacuated Indian Students from Iran Report Subpar Bus Conditions for J&K Travel; CM Abdullah Responds
NEW DELHI, India – June 19, 2025 – Indian students recently evacuated from conflict-affected Iran are thankful that they returned safely, but they voiced their disgust at what the Jammu and Kashmir administration had arranged for their onward journey from Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir in terms of bus conditions. The first flight of 110 Indian nationals, 90 of them said to be students from J&K, arrived on Thursday morning in New Delhi under “Operation Sindhu,” India’s mission to evacuate its citizens amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Event Chronicle and Context
The students were mainly studying at Urmia Medical University in Iran, and their evacuation happened under very odd but pressing circumstances. They were first trucked to Armenia, and then flown to Doha, before finally landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. They were grateful for the timely airlift performed by the central government; however, they found their relief at reaching India somewhat impaired by poor transport quality on the last leg of the journey home.
The complaints highlight a key coordination point between all levels of government during operations of such large scale. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has heightened into a very volatile security situation in that region, forcing India to initiate the evacuation of 13,000 students and other nationals.
Key Figures and Official Statements
Students from Kashmir described in detail that the buses provided by Jammu and Kashmir administration were, in their words, “worn out, cramped, and unfit for such a long journey”; other students had lived for days with fear, anxiety, and graying visas. Afsa Shaikh, a student from Kashmir, told the media that the buses were “not in stable condition.” In those buses, it would be really difficult for those students to travel home with whatever strength they had left after the ordeal they had been through.” She particularly appealed to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for better arrangements.
The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, hastily issued a statement addressing the concerns. Taking into consideration the request of the students evacuated from Iran regarding the quality of buses arranged, the Chief Minister’s Office mentioned that the Resident Commissioner has been asked to coordinate with the Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) to provide “proper deluxe buses” for their journey. Abdullah also reposted the announcement on social media platform X, showing personal concern for resolving this grievance.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh earlier welcomed the evacuated students at the Delhi airport, confirming that more evacuation flights were being planned. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had similarly announced the launch of “Operation Sindhu” and the safe arrival of the first batch of students into New Delhi.
Effect and Implications
These developments will likely bring additional discomfort and frustration to the students, who already had a very traumatic experience after what they had been through. It points out the gaping hole in logistical coordination along the entire path of these mammoth humanitarian operations, where how the last leg is conducted could color the overall experience for the evacuees.
For the Jammu and Kashmir administration, given the seriousness of the matter, the public complaints and the swift action of the Chief Minister reflect an immediate concern for the well-being of their citizens. The intention of sending deluxe buses means an immediate attempt to rectify the oversight and afford the students the facilities that they rightly ought to enjoy going home. This serves as a reminder to all agencies involved in evacuation efforts to have a consistent level of standards from start to finish.
Reactions, Investigations, & Outlook
The students, while thankful for being brought back from a conflict zone, expressed their clear disappointment with the ground arrangements. Their calls for better transport were quickly amplified, leading to the prompt response from the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s office.
The Indian government’s “Operation Sindhu” is still in progress for further evacuation of those in Iran, including a number of Indian nationals, primarily students. The Indian Embassy in Tehran continues the monitoring of the situation and assists stranded citizens. Primary foresight is now drawn into action on the Chief Minister’s order to provide better buses for the smooth and easy return of these students to their homes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reported by: Herohind News Desk
