J&K Students Association thanks PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar for swift evacuation of 1,300 Kashmiri students from war-torn Iran

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association on Saturday has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the evacuation of over 1,300 Kashmiri students from conflict-hit Iran.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister, the Association lauded the swift, coordinated, and compassionate efforts of the Government of India, describing the evacuation as “a deeply humanitarian act rooted in national duty and compassion.” The students, who were studying in various Iranian cities, such as Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Qom, Gilan, Tabriz, Yazd, and Ahvaz faced immense psychological distress and were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief following their safe return.

National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association Nasir Khuehami, said the government’s timely intervention came at a moment when hope was beginning to fade. “The students were terrified, traumatized, and in extremely vulnerable positions. This act of care and commitment has brought immense relief to their anxious families across Jammu and Kashmir and has renewed faith in the protective embrace of the Indian state,” the letter read.

“These students, trapped in conflict-ridden cities, endured days of fear and uncertainty. Their safe return to the arms of their families in Jammu and Kashmir has brought much-needed emotional peace and relief,” it added.

The Association highlighted that while citizens of many other nations were left to face the risks on their own, the Indian government prioritized the safety of its citizens. An attack near the Hujjatdost Dormitory at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, which injured two Kashmiri students, underscored the grave danger they were facing. Following urgent appeals by the Association, the students were relocated to safer areas and subsequently evacuated. 

The Ministry of External Affairs, under the leadership and guidance of the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister, played a key role in ensuring that all 1,300 Kashmiri students and families were safely brought back to India. “The care and priority given to the safety of Kashmiri students from the initial response to the final leg of their journey was nothing short of exemplary,” Khuehami stated. 

He praised the on-ground coordination of the Indian Embassy in Iran, their efficient handling of documentation, and sensitive communication with students and their institutions. He also appreciated the arrangements made for border crossings, relocations to safer areas like Mashad, Qom, Ramsar, and Armenia, and the final airlifts to India via Mashad and Yerevan, all of which were executed with remarkable efficiency. 

He further emphasized the humane approach of the evacuation efforts: “The setting up of emergency helplines, creation of WhatsApp and Telegram-based crisis communication channels, and direct coordination between the embassy and students were hallmarks of a humane, responsive, and efficient evacuation process.” 

Khuehami said the Association firmly believes that this evacuation was more than just a logistical exercise, it was a powerful humanitarian act. “This timely intervention has not only saved lives but has also rekindled faith in the responsiveness and inclusiveness of the Indian government, especially among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have long yearned for such care and attention.” 

He added that the efforts reflect the consistent dedication of the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy to ensure the safety, dignity, and even religious aspirations of Indian citizens, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir. “The PMO and MEA have been a beacon of hope and reassurance to distressed families during the most turbulent times.” 

“The efforts of the Indian Embassy and the Ministry brought immense solace to the affected families and deepened the trust of the Kashmiri people in the Indian state’s commitment to their well-being,” he said. 

Reflecting on the emotional impact of the rescue operation, Khuehami added, “When the bombs were falling, it was our embassy, our flag, our people who got us out. For young Kashmiris, many of whom have grown up amid political uncertainty, security crackdowns, and a deep sense of marginalization, this experience was both unexpected and profoundly emotional.”