In a significant development amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, around 100 Indian students stranded in Iran are scheduled to return home this weekend. The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) confirmed on Wednesday that the students, a majority of whom are from Kashmir, will be the first batch to leave the region via a land route to Armenia.
According to Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of JKSA, the students are set to depart for the Armenia border on Thursday, March 12, from various locations in Iran, primarily the city of Urmia. They will cross into Armenia and fly out from Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan.
The travel itinerary reveals that most students will return on Friday, March 14, with the remaining few following on Saturday, March 15. They will be traveling on commercial Flydubai flights, connecting through Dubai before landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. The majority of the returning students are booked on Flight FZ8124.
The Association had been in active communication with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, seeking assistance for safe passage through the Armenia corridor, which was identified as the most viable escape route from northwestern Iran. Khuehami noted that the MEA facilitated the necessary permissions for this transit.
However, he clarified that during meetings with senior officials, including the Foreign Secretary and the Iranian Ambassador, it was conveyed that there is currently no formal, large-scale evacuation plan in place for Indian nationals in Iran. Those returning at this time are doing so through self-arranged commercial bookings.
In a related advisory, the MEA has cautioned students still in Iran to refrain from sharing their exact locations or personal details on social media as a safety measure against potential risks.
To ensure a smooth return, the JKSA is coordinating with both the MEA and the Jammu & Kashmir government. Khuehami confirmed that deluxe AC buses will be arranged at IGI Airport in New Delhi to facilitate the onward journey for Kashmiri students arriving on these dates and subsequently via the Armenia route. The Association stated it will continue to monitor the situation closely to assist in the safe return of all Indian students from the region.
